Category: Press Releases & Statements

Ryan Gentzler joins OK Policy as criminal justice policy analyst

Oklahoma Policy Institute is pleased to announce that Ryan Gentzler has joined the organization in a new policy analyst position that will focus on criminal justice issues. The position is funded through a grant from the Center on Budget and… Read more [More...]

Statement: Budget emergency won’t be solved by doubling down on cuts

Oklahoma Policy Institute released the following statement in response to official projections that Oklahoma will enact midyear budget cuts this year and is expecting a $900.8 million budget hole next year: The projected mid-year cuts and next year’s massive budget… Read more [More...]

Our statement on the proposed ballot initiative to fund education with 1 cent sales tax increase

Oklahoma Policy Institute released the following statement on the proposal for a ballot initiative that would increase funding for common and higher education through a 1 cent increase in the state sales tax: Our public schools and colleges are the… Read more [More...]

New OK Policy report examines barriers to affordable housing for Oklahomans with felony convictions

A new report from Oklahoma Policy Institute, titled “Barriers to Affordable Housing for Oklahomans with Felony Convictions,” shows how Oklahoma’s major public housing assistance programs exclude people with felony records from getting help. The report also discusses alternative models used… Read more [More...]

Statement: Supreme Court health care decision is a victory for Oklahomans

Oklahoma Policy Institute released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court decision upholding subsidies for insurance purchased on the Affordable Care Act federal marketplace: The Supreme Court decision is a victory for tens of thousands of Oklahomans and… 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...]

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...]

New poll: Majority of Oklahomans favor halting tax cut amid budget shortfall

A new poll shows that 60 percent of Oklahoma voters support delaying or canceling the income tax cut scheduled for 2016, and only 33 percent still want the tax cut to go forward while the state has a large budget… Read more [More...]