Category: Media Coverage

Oklahoma religious leaders fighting payday loan bill, call it an ‘evil’ practice (KFOR)

By Sarah Stewart OKLAHOMA CITY – Some religious leaders in Oklahoma are working to defeat a bill they say gives payday loan companies more authority. The federal government is set to enact stricter standards on these types of businesses. Before… Read more [More...]

Cushing: The pipeline crossroads of the world (Tulsa World)

By Casey Smith Cushing may be home to less than half of a percent of Oklahoma’s total population, but the city with just fewer than 8,000 residents is arguably more important to the energy industry than any other point in… Read more [More...]

Schools dodge $19 million budget cut (Enid News)

By Sally Asher Oklahoma public schools have dodged the $19 million budget cut projected by the state. State officials found $43.8 million in a dedicated source of income for public schools: the 1017 Fund, or the Education Reform Revolving Fund,… Read more [More...]

Sales Tax Exemptions: A Puzzling Roster of Haves and Have-Nots (Oklahoma Watch)

By Warren Vieth The National Rifle Association is exempt from the sales tax in Oklahoma. The American Civil Liberties Union is not. Organizations promoting the preservation of wild ducks and turkeys get a sales tax break. Groups promoting different wildlife,… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma Could Face Showdown Over Ill-Advised Income Tax Cuts (Tax Justice Blog)

By Sebastian Johnson Oklahoma has become yet another regrettable example of what happens when state policy is driven by income tax cuts. Worse, Gov. Mary Fallin and Senate Finance Chairman Mike Mazzei are on a collision course over the fate… Read more [More...]

Senator asks for help stopping income tax cut (Stillwater News Press)

By Michelle Charles Senate Finance Chair Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa, is asking for the public’s help to stop an income tax cut he championed in 2014.   The 0.25 percent reduction in the state’s income tax rate takes it from 5.25 percent… Read more [More...]

Lawmakers Urged to Support a Rollback of the Latest State Income Tax Cut (KWGS)

By Marshall Stewart Members of the State Senate Finance Committee are scheduled to vote tomorrow on a measure to halt the most recent income tax cut. Citizens are being asked to call lawmakers and urge them to roll back the… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma advocates for criminal justice reform meet with experts (Red Dirt Report)

By Mindy Ragan Wood OKLAHOMA CITY — Thursday night, advocates for criminal justice reform gathered to hear a panel of experts discussing public policy regarding Oklahoma’s incarceration crisis. “Criminal Justice: A Better Way for Oklahoma” was hosted by the Charles… Read more [More...]

Panelists discuss need for criminal justice reform (Norman Transcript)

By Jessica Bruha OKLAHOMA CITY – After former House Speaker Kris Steele and Adam Luck, Oklahoma state director of Right on Crime discussed the need for criminal justice reform, a panel launched into a discussion about the issue. Some of… Read more [More...]

Study Finds a Decade of Income Tax Cuts Deprived State of $1B This Year (Oklahoma Watch)

By Warren Vieth Income tax cuts approved by governors and legislators of both parties over the past decade reduced this year’s state revenue collections by more than $1 billion, according to an independent data analysis. The calculation by the Institute… Read more [More...]