Category: Media Coverage

Lawmakers play ball while budget crisis looms (Fox 25)

By Phil Cross OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — With a $1.3 billion budget hole and a deadline looming what would you expect your elected leaders would be doing? Fox 25 found several state representatives playing ball during a time many people… Read more [More...]

Clergy urge Oklahoma lawmakers to keep tax credits for poor (Hastings Tribune)

By Sue Ogrocki OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Religious leaders from across Oklahoma are urging lawmakers not to get rid of tax credits that support hundreds of thousands of middle- and low-income residents. A letter signed by more than 140 clergy… Read more [More...]

Metro Nonprofits Speak Out Against Tax Credit Cuts (News 9)

By Aaron Brilbeck Enlarge 1 / 1 OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislative leaders have repeatedly said, with an estimated $1.3 billion budget shortfall, nothing is off the table, but religious and civic leaders say some things should be. While legislative leaders… Read more [More...]

Religious Leaders, Charities Oppose Current Budget Plan (KWGS)

By Matt Trotter Oklahoma Conference of Churches Executive Director Bill Tabbernee (right) talks about his opposition to state lawmakers’ plans to reduce the earned income, sales tax relief, child and child care tax credits. He was joined by DeVon Douglass… Read more [More...]

Religious, nonprofit leaders urge lawmakers not to cut tax credits for Oklahoma’s neediest families (Red Dirt Report)

By Heide Brandes Heide Brandes / Red Dirt Report From left, DeVon Douglass, Oklahoma Policy Institute executive director David Blatt and Rev. Dr. William Tabbernee, executive director of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches, speak at a press conference Wednesday.     HEIDE… Read more [More...]

Clergy group asks Oklahoma lawmakers to consider impact of budget cuts on the poor (The Oklahoman)

By Clara Hinton  More than 140 Oklahoma religious leaders are appealing to government representatives’ sense of morality and justice — as massive state budget cuts loom on the horizon. Wednesday, several religious and nonprofit leaders held a news conference at… Read more [More...]

Cigarette tax increase considered (Skiatook Journal)

By Senator J.J. Dossett With three weeks left in the 2016 legislative session, we’re finally beginning to vote on bills that will shape the 2017 fiscal year budget. On Thursday the Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget approved a slate… Read more [More...]

State in Dire Distress (okeducationtruths)

Oklahoma has one of the most beautiful state flags. According to Wikipedia: The Osage shield is covered by two symbols of peace: the Plains-style ceremonial pipe representing Native Americans, and the olive branch representing European Americans. Six golden brown crosses,… Read more [More...]

Prospects brighten for cigarette tax increase in Oklahoma (The Oklahoman)

By Rick Green In the 24 years since Oklahoma voters restricted lawmakers’ ability to raise taxes, the state Legislature has not been able to muster the three-fourths majority needed to pass a tax increase. That’s why there were major doubts… Read more [More...]

Everyday folks call, email and visiting lawmakers before end of legislative session (Oklahoma Gazette)

By Laura Eastes Andy Moore talks with with others at a recent Let’s Fix This event at the Oklahoma State Capitol. (Garett Fisbeck) Andy Moore was fed up with dreary headlines about the state’s financial mess. Articles covering the revenue… Read more [More...]