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2023 Census data: Oklahoma ranks as sixth poorest state

By: Oklahoma Policy Institute
September 12, 2024 // Updated: September 12, 2024

Lawmakers have options to improve Oklahomans’ well-being, access to prosperity Data from the Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey released Sept. 12 show that Oklahoma’s poverty rate was 15.9 percent, which was the nation’s sixth highest. The national poverty rate… Read more More...

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Fact Check: Floor debate on HB 1539 that would implement state income tax cuts if a certain revenue amount is raised

By: Aanahita Ervin
April 22, 2025 // Updated: April 22, 2025

• Contact your lawmaker now: Speak out against tax cuts that benefit the wealthy and risk critical services Background: On Thursday, April 10, the Oklahoma State Senate rushed to pass House Bill 1539. HB 1539, authored by Rep. Mark Lepak,… Read more [More...]

Legislative committee investigating finances for state mental health agency (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
// Updated: April 22, 2025

Legislative investigative committees in Oklahoma are rare, as they should be. The legislature has only four months to enact laws and policy for state government and to write a balanced budget for the coming year. Time spent taking testimony under… Read more [More...]

Lawmakers need to act to help older adults struggling to afford housing

By: Sabine Brown
April 20, 2025 // Updated: April 20, 2025

Retirement should be a time of financial stability and a time to enjoy the fruits of a lifetime of work, but for many seniors, retirement comes with housing insecurity and homelessness. Without prompt action, this worrisome trend will become more… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: SB 1027 would exclude millions of registered voters from signing initiative petitions | A look at bills this session that can help Oklahoma’s vulnerable youth | Lawmakers facing tough fiscal decisions, considering withdrawal from Rainy Day Fund | More

By: Oklahoma Policy Institute
April 19, 2025 // Updated: April 19, 2025

What’s up this week at Oklahoma Policy Institute? The Weekly Wonk shares our most recent publications and other resources to help you stay informed about Oklahoma. Numbers of the Day and Policy Notes are from our daily news briefing, In… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma should do better for vulnerable youth. Here are some bills this session that can do just that.

By: Jill Mencke
April 16, 2025 // Updated: April 16, 2025

Oklahoma has an obligation to care for vulnerable youth in our legal and foster systems. This session, Oklahoma legislators have the chance to build upon recent progress to make benefits more accessible and enshrine protections for vulnerable youth in the… Read more [More...]

SB 1027 would exclude millions of registered voters from signing initiative petitions

By: Cole Allen
// Updated: May 21, 2025

Oklahoma’s initiative petition process is an effective and secure way for citizens to serve as a check on our state government and our elected officials. However, Senate Bill 1027 would place arbitrary restrictions on how many signatures could be collected… Read more [More...]

Lawmakers facing tough fiscal decisions, considering withdrawal from Rainy Day Fund (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
April 14, 2025 // Updated: April 14, 2025

• OK Policy Advocacy Alert: Tell lawmakers to oppose tax cuts that benefit the wealthy and risk critical services With seven weeks remaining before mandatory sine die adjournment on May 30, appropriations committee members and leadership are now focusing on… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: OK Policy responds to governor’s misleading comments on SB 675 | Without proof, efficiency is just politics dressed up like progress | Crossover week, special election results lead up to impending committee, floor deadlines

By: Oklahoma Policy Institute
April 12, 2025 // Updated: April 12, 2025

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

By: Oklahoma Policy Institute
April 11, 2025 // Updated: April 11, 2025

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...]

Crossover week, special election results lead up to impending committee, floor deadlines (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
April 7, 2025 // Updated: April 7, 2025

During the lull in legislative action in “crossover” week last week, a bit of politics filled the void. Crossover week is the week after floor deadlines during which House bills that remain alive officially move to the Senate, and Senate… Read more [More...]

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