Category: Media

State Rundown 5/22: Last-Minute Fireworks (Tax Justice Blog)

By Sebastian Johnson A Louisiana Senate committee passed a package of eleven bills that would raise an additional $615 in revenue next fiscal year. If passed, the package will raise the state cigarette tax by 32 cents per pack, scale… Read more [More...]

STATEMENT: Lawmakers should reject unbalanced budget deal

Oklahoma Policy Institute released the following statement in response to a state budget deal announced today: Lawmakers faced a difficult task with a $611 million budget hole. Even so, this budget proposal ignores sensible revenue options by allowing a tax… Read more [More...]

Former Bellmon top advisor, non-profit director join OK Policy board

Oklahoma Policy Institute is pleased to announce that Andrew Tevington, who served for many years as a top advisor to Governor Henry Bellmon, and Felicia Collins Correia, whose experience includes over 25 years as CEO of major non-profit organizations in… Read more [More...]

College students can dig deep into Oklahoma at Summer Policy Institute

The third annual Summer Policy Institute (SPI) will bring together Oklahoma college students with leading policy experts from government, academia and community organizations. The SPI will be held August 2-5 at the OU-Tulsa Schusterman Center. Applications to attend the event… Read more [More...]

OK Treasurer Opposed To Use Of Unclaimed Property Fund To Fix Budget Woes (News9)

By Emory Bryan A handful of state leaders are deep into budget negotiations, working on keeping state government running with less money. There’s a budget gap estimated at $611 million, but they’ll make some of that up with money that… Read more [More...]

Oklahomans Say It’s Bad Timing For Proposed Tax Cut (NewsOn6)

By Lisa Monahan With the state facing a more than $600 million budget shortfall, some are criticizing an upcoming tax cut. It’s estimated to save the average middle-income family $31 a year, but nearly 100 corporate leaders and nonprofit agencies… Read more [More...]

A Letter to Lawmakers Asks for a Tax Cut to be Halted (Public Radio Tulsa)

By Marshall Stewart A letter has gone to Oklahoma political leaders calling for a halt to a tax cut set to go into effect in January. Those behind the letter believe it is irresponsible to continue with the cut given… Read more [More...]

Dozens of businesses, non-profits, churches and other organizations call for halting tax cut­­­

“Poor state fiscal policy choices are undoing much of the hard work of our philanthropic sector, businesses, Native nations, non-profit organizations, and faith community to support and improve education, health care, social services, and other critical areas.” ... Read More [More...]

Tough on crime is tough on taxpayers

By Natasha Hamilton While the “tough on crime” policies seems fair, it has become apparent to researchers over the past century that the tough on crime idea is ineffective in deterring criminal activity and punishes taxpayers. A report by the… Read more [More...]

State Rundown 4/23: Tax Cuts in the Face of Budget Disaster

By Sebastian Johnson: Alabama senators have proposed a constitutional amendment that would establish a flat personal income taxand lower the corporate tax rate, despite facing a devastating budget shortfall. The proposal would lower the top income tax rate from 5… Read more [More...]