Category: Media

Oklahoma Policy Institute Recommends Using Rainy Day Fund Now to Minimize Damage to State Services

(Oklahoma City, May 11, 2009): A new issue brief released today by Oklahoma Policy Institute (OK Policy) urges state leaders to add the Rainy Day Fund (RDF) into the discussion of the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year, FY… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma Can Protect State Services by Decoupling from Federal Business Tax Provisions

(Oklahoma City, May 4, 2009): Oklahoma faces a budget shortfall of at least $600 million in the coming fiscal year, 2009-10. Federal stimulus bill (American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, or ARRA) tax provisions could make this gap $46… Read more [More...]

New Fact Sheet Examines Gross Production Taxes and Exemptions

(Oklahoma City, April 28, 2009):  Oklahoma Policy Institute released a new fact sheet on Oklahoma’s gross production tax that takes a specific look at the tax exemptions that are offered for different forms of oil and gas production. Over the… Read more [More...]

Updating Unemployment Insurance Laws Would Bolster Trust Fund, Help Oklahoma’s Workers and Businesses

(Oklahoma City, April 2, 2009):  A new issue brief from Oklahoma Policy Institute calls on Oklahoma to take advantage of opportunities provided in the federal stimulus bill to make modest changes to its Unemployment Insurance program that would bolster the… Read more [More...]

Policy Group Calls on Governor to Create Accountability Board to Oversee Federal Recovery Funds

(Oklahoma City, February 25, 2009): Oklahoma Policy Institute today called on Governor Brad Henry to promote transparency and public confidence in the expenditure of funds coming to Oklahoma as part of the federal economic stimulus bill by creating an Oklahoma… Read more [More...]

New Bills May Provide Relief to Oklahomans in Need

(Oklahoma City – January 29, 2009)  Two new bills introduced for the 2009 legislative session by a bipartisan pair of legislators would provide financial relief from the rising cost of groceries for families in Oklahoma who are struggling. HB 2204,… Read more [More...]

Groups urge increase in grocery tax credit (Tulsa World)

Original at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20081217_16_A19_OLHMIY987151 OKLAHOMA CITY – Groups that work with low-income families urged lawmakers Tuesday to increase a sales-tax credit to offset the cost of groceries. David Blatt of the Oklahoma Policy Institute, who was joined by about 20 organizations,… Read more [More...]

Organizations Call on Legislators to Increase Grocery Tax Credit

(Oklahoma City, December 16, 2008) – Organizations from across the state are calling on the Oklahoma Legislature to strengthen the Sales Tax Relief Credit, a move that would provide much needed and ongoing benefits to families and individuals struggling to… Read more [More...]

New Policy Briefs Explore Options to Increase Tax Credits for Struggling Families

(Oklahoma City, October 6, 2008):  Policymakers looking for opportunities to help struggling Oklahoma families should consider expanding two existing tax credits targeted to low- and moderate-income Oklahomans, according to a pair of policy briefs released today by the Oklahoma Policy… Read more [More...]

Report cites Oklahoma income tax-cut slash (Oklahoman)

By Ron Jenkins A think-tank that advocates for the poor says Oklahoma lawmakers would have had $400 million to $600 million more to spend on education and other programs the last two years if not for income tax cuts. The… Read more [More...]