Category: Press Releases & Statements

Statement: OK Policy responds to governor’s misleading comments on SB 675

Statement from OK Policy Executive Director Shiloh Kantz about the governor’s comments accusing the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of leading the charge to block Senate Bill 675, which would have granted the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority access to law enforcement records to… Read more [More...]

Statement: DOGE-OK recommends health care cuts that are harmful, counterintuitive

The governor’s office this week released its first DOGE-OK report to promote government efficiency at the state level, mimicking the aims of the federal effort being led by Elon Musk. The DOGE-OK report identified $157 million in “wasteful” health care… Read more [More...]

Governor’s costs for his proposed income tax cut have quietly increased. Here’s why lawmakers should prioritize targeted tax credits to help working families.

Last month, when the governor initially announced a proposal to cut the state’s personal income tax by a half-percent, the Oklahoma Policy Institute raised the flag that these cuts would cost about $660 million in state revenue annually – nearly… Read more [More...]

OK Policy comments on revenue numbers estimated during February’s Board of Equalization meeting

The Board of Equalization on Friday certified an $8.273 billion estimate in General Revenue collections for the Legislature to appropriate in Fiscal Year 2026. This is a decrease of $311 million, or about 3.6 percent, from last year’s February estimate, which sets the maximum amount the Legislature can appropriate for the upcoming fiscal year. [More...]

One Moment of Courage

Not every act of courage will make the history books, and that’s okay. What matters is that you take action. You show up. You decide not to stay silent in the face of injustice. Because when you take that step, I promise others will follow. And when enough of us find our courage, we will tip the balance toward change. [More...]

Who really wins from tax cuts? (Hint: It’s probably not you) 

During today’s State of the State address, the governor is expected to renew his call for cutting taxes in Oklahoma. The "path to zero" is a dangerous road. [More...]

FACT CHECK: How would the governor’s proposal to cut, eliminate personal income tax affect Oklahoma?

Gov. Stitt has called for cutting then eliminating the state's personal income tax. Here is an estimate of how it would impact Oklahomans and what it would cost. [More...]

Fact Check: How much would Oklahomans save with a 0.5% personal income tax cut?

Proposal Gov. Stitt has proposed a 0.5% cut to the state’s individual income tax rate. (January 29, 2025) Related: This income tax cut would be his first proposed step to eventually eliminate the state’s personal income tax, which he calls… Read more [More...]

Facts and figures on federal grant dollars in Oklahoma (2024)

The Trump administration announced on Jan. 27, 2025, that it would temporarily pause federal grant, loan, and other financial assistance programs. This would have enormous ripple effects in Oklahoma and elsewhere. A federal judge the following day temporarily blocked the… Read more [More...]

OK Policy comments on revenue numbers estimated during December’s Board of Equalization meeting

Statement from Aanahita Ervin, OK Policy’s Fiscal Policy Analyst: The Board of Equalization on Friday certified an $8.225 billion estimate of funds for the governor’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal. Given this is an early estimate, lawmakers should not view… Read more [More...]