Category: Media

Statement: Oklahoma should not waste millions on capital gains tax break to protect small part that might benefit agriculture

Oklahoma Policy Institute Executive Director David Blatt released the following statement in response to some lawmakers’ claims that Oklahoma should maintain a tax deduction for capital gains income to support the cattle industry and farmers: Oklahoma’s capitol gains deduction is… Read more [More...]

Statement: Revenues bill is a good start and lawmakers can do more

Oklahoma Policy Institute released a statement on the House passage of HB 1010xx to fund a teacher raise and other serious public needs: The revenues approved in HB1010xx are a great start to keeping our best teachers in the classroom… Read more [More...]

Broad group of Oklahoma organizations and faith leaders call on lawmakers to pass revenue solutions

NOTE: In addition to the following press release from the coalition of groups participating in today’s press conference, Oklahoma Policy Institute Executive Director David Blatt released this statement in response to the revenue plan expected today from the House: The… Read more [More...]

Statement: Lawmakers must continue their work until a substantial revenue plan gets the votes

For Immediate Release Oklahoma Policy Institute Executive Director David Blatt released the following statement on the apparent failure of the HB 1033XX revenue bill: Today, lawmakers on both sides of the debate agreed about one thing: Oklahoma desperately needs to… Read more [More...]

Statement: Changes to Step Up income tax plan will bolster working families

For Immediate Release Oklahoma Policy Institute Executive Director David Blatt released the following statement on the amendment to HB 1037, the income tax component of the Step Up Oklahoma plan, which passed out of House committee today: The move to… Read more [More...]

Statement on Governor Fallin’s State of the State address and budget plan

For Immediate Release Oklahoma Policy Institute Executive Director David Blatt released the following statement in response to Governor Fallin’s State of the State address and FY 2019 Executive Budget: Governor Fallin has identified the right goals for this year’s legislative… Read more [More...]

State Budget Summit to feature national policy expert and state leader panels on Oklahoma’s most important issues

As the 2018 Oklahoma legislative session nears, the state continues to struggle with chronic budget shortfalls and growing discontent among Oklahomans about lack of funding for core services. On January 25 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Policy Institute’s 5th Annual State… Read more [More...]

OK Policy report calls for reform to improve trust between law enforcement and communities in Oklahoma

For Immediate Release: November 7, 2017 Contact: Ryan Gentzler, rgentzler@okpolicy.org, (918) 794-3944 Today, OK Policy released a report, “Strategies for Building Trust Between Law Enforcement and Communities in Oklahoma,” that details the challenges facing Oklahoma law enforcement and proposes a… Read more [More...]

New budget is a squandered opportunity of massive proportions

Here is our assessment of the budget unveiled on Nov. 13th by House and Senate leaders. UPDATE: The new General Appropriations bill, HB 1019X, has now passed the House and Senate and awaits action by the Governor. Lawmakers had plenty… Read more [More...]

Federal Tax Reform Plans Likely to Benefit Wealthiest Oklahomans the Most (Public Radio Tulsa)

By Matt Trotter Republicans now have competing federal tax reform plans, but the more it resembles the House proposal, the more it will benefit wealthy Oklahomans. An analysis of that plan finds Oklahomans making roughly $500,000 a year or more… Read more [More...]