Category: Media

Puppet campaign urges Oklahomans to “get off our butts,” do something about budget shortfall (KFOR)

By Lacey Lett OKLAHOMA CITY – A group of Oklahomans are taking an unusual approach to voicing concern over the state’s $1.3 billion shortfall. The Oklahoma Policy Institute, a non-partisan independent policy think-tank, started the ‘Do Something’ campaign to encourage… Read more [More...]

Democrat Stone challenges McDaniel for District 83 (Edmond Sun)

By James Coburn  Many Oklahomans are not pleased with what is happening at the state Capitol, said Jason Stone, D-Edmond. Stone, 43, is the only Democrat running for House District 83. He will face Republican incumbent Randy McDaniel, also of… Read more [More...]

More Red States Embrace Obamacare, As Long As You Don’t Call It That (Huffington Post)

by Jeffrey Young  WASHINGTON — Presidential candidates and other national politicians throw around a lot of rhetoric about health care reform, but the real action is happening in conservative state legislatures across the country. Red state governors and lawmakers are… Read more [More...]

Questions remain regarding proposed Medicaid reform plan in Oklahoma despite widespread support (News OK)

By Jaclyn Cosgrove  DURANT — Nico Gomez stood before a small group of 25 concerned residents.  How will we save Oklahoma’s Medicaid program?  That’s the question at hand.  Gomez, Oklahoma Health Care Authority CEO, has his answer: the Medicaid Rebalancing… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma Is Wasting Money to Prove a Point: The State Really Hates Abortion (Rewire)

By Imani Gandy Oklahoman legislators, like anti-choice politicians across the country, are hell-bent on eliminating abortion through a series of flank attacks while ignoring the needs of born humans in their state. SB 1552 now goes back to the state… Read more [More...]

The Oklahoma State Budget Explained by Puppets (Z94)

By Kelso      Quite possibly, the one thing everyone can agree on, regardless of political belief, is the thought of a working budget. After analysts pointed heavily at the oil bust, Oklahoma isn’t doing so OK these days. $1.3Billion in the… Read more [More...]

Slate of Criminal Justice Reform Measures Sent to Governor (Public Radio Tulsa)

By Matt Trotter Four criminal justice reform bills are Gov. Mary Fallin’s signature away from becoming law. “It’s common-sense reform that the district attorneys, working with other people in law enforcement, came up with over the summer on the governor’s… Read more [More...]

The OK Policy Institute’s David Blatt on Gov. Fallin’s Recommendations to Fill the State Budget Gap (Studio Tulsa)

By Rich Fisher Yesterday at the State Capitol, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin offered her recommendations to the State Legislature on how to fill next year’s estimated $1.3 billion budget deficit. Her “Budget 2.0” provides for exempting Common Education, the Oklahoma… Read more [More...]

Approval of Budget Proposals Might Not Prevent Medicaid Cuts (Oklahoma Watch)

By Warren Vieth  State health care officials say they might be forced to proceed with a June 1 pay cut to Medicaid providers even if the Legislature enacts Gov. Mary Fallin’s proposals to ease the budget crisis. The Oklahoma Health… Read more [More...]

New poll: Large majority of Oklahoma voters favor income tax increases to prevent funding cuts

A new poll shows that large majorities of Oklahoma voters favor stopping this year’s income tax cut and restoring a 6.65 percent top income tax rate for the wealthiest households to ease the state budget emergency. Solid majorities of both… Read more [More...]