OK Policy Blog

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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...

Recent Posts

Tribal-State Policy 101: Tribal Citizenship

By: Vivian Morris
June 1, 2024 // Updated: June 1, 2024
A strong, mutually respectful relationship between the State of Oklahoma and the 38 federally recognized Tribal Nations in the state is vital to the well-being of all who call Oklahoma home. OK Policy will be publishing a series of articles… Read more [More...]

Policy Matters: Steps to improve budget transparency next session

By: Shiloh Kantz
May 31, 2024 // Updated: June 14, 2024
This legislative session, lawmakers placed great emphasis on budget transparency. It’s been revealing to watch the process unfold, but there are steps lawmakers can take to build on this progress for next year. Throughout May, legislative leaders and the governor… Read more [More...]

Efforts to reclassify state’s criminal code maybe getting traction (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
May 28, 2024 // Updated: May 28, 2024
Providing more realistic guidelines for sentencing, which is lacking in Oklahoma, should provide a meaningful, measurable effect on Oklahoma's overuse of incarceration. HB 1792, if it passes, could mark a starting point. [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Poverty is a policy choice | Public budget discussions offer insight into state budget process | Keep an eye on future budget committee sessions

By: Annie Taylor
May 25, 2024 // Updated: May 25, 2024
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...]

Public budget discussions are an opportunity to gain a better appreciation of the state budget process (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
May 21, 2024 // Updated: May 21, 2024
For those with interest and time to watch, the negotiations are an opportunity to gain a better appreciation of the state budget process and those who write the budget. If nothing else, the people watching have been treated, for the most part, to civil discussions by knowledgeable legislators doing the work they were elected to do to the best of their ability. [More...]

Weekly Wonk: The real impact of a flat-rate income tax | Poorest Oklahomans need actions, not words | State’s anti-ESG law filled with twists, turns | We’re Hiring – Applications close tomorrow

By: Annie Taylor
May 18, 2024 // Updated: May 18, 2024
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...]

State’s anti-ESG law filled with twists, turns (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
May 13, 2024 // Updated: May 13, 2024
Oklahoma politics is sometimes a small world. In 2022, given the opportunity to demonstrate their loyalty to the state's oil and gas industry, legislators passed House Bill 2034, the "Energy Discrimination Elimination Act of 2022, known as Oklahoma's anti-ESG (environmental, social and governance) law." [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Putting cash back in the pockets of Oklahoma taxpayers who need it most | Budget talks continue: One step forward is still forward | SB 1709’s impact on the child welfare system

By: Annie Taylor
May 11, 2024 // Updated: May 11, 2024
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...]

SB 1709 could impact reporting for child welfare system, long-term care facilities (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
May 7, 2024 // Updated: May 7, 2024
Senate Bill 1709 by Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, has flown somewhat under the radar, but it could have a large impact on the health and safety of children in the child welfare system and persons in long-term care facilities. [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Bill seeking to change State Dept. of Ed. board likely no longer a threat to status quo | Modernizing Sales Tax Relief Credit would help families, seniors

By: Dave Hamby
May 4, 2024 // Updated: May 4, 2024
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...]

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