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

Weekly Wonk: Proposed state budget shows promise, but could do more for everyday Oklahomans | Last-minute budget deals harmful | Capitol Update

By: Hana Saad
May 28, 2023 // Updated: May 28, 2023
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...]

Budget special session points to lack of trust between legislature, governor (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
May 22, 2023 // Updated: May 22, 2023
Because of the protracted fight over education funding and tax credits for people sending their children to private schools, the legislature was pushed to the brink in getting its appropriations measures passed before the constitutionally-required end of legislative session this… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Everyday Oklahomans still waiting for inflation relief | Economic development efforts | Money for nothing

By: Hana Saad
May 20, 2023 // Updated: May 20, 2023
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...]

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2023 Resource Guide

By: Hana Saad
May 16, 2023 // Updated: May 19, 2023
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This month, we celebrate and uplift the achievements, contributions, and rich heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).  Representing more than 40 countries and ethnic groups as well as 100… Read more [More...]

Past economic development efforts should inform decision making (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
// Updated: May 16, 2023
Frustrated by Oklahoma’s recent high-profile failures to land large manufacturing facilities, Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, last March created the Senate Economic Development Select Committee. At the time Pro Tem Treat said, “Oklahoma has abundant resources, qualified… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Tax cuts aren’t fiscally conservative | Buyer beware on tax cuts, school vouchers | Hunger is a fixable problem | Capitol Update

By: Hana Saad
May 13, 2023 // Updated: May 13, 2023
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...]

Flat tax, tax triggers would make Oklahoma’s tax system less fair, less adequate, and less stable

By: Emma Morris
// Updated: May 18, 2023
• Current Tax Cut Proposals Don’t Help Most Oklahomans [Printable PDF] With less than two weeks left in the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers have very little time remaining to reach agreement on, reveal, and adopt the Fiscal Year 2024 state… Read more [More...]

Gov. Stitt vetoes bill allowing students to wear tribal regalia at graduation (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
May 8, 2023 // Updated: May 8, 2023
It was disappointing to see that the governor vetoed Senate Bill 429 which allows students to wear tribal regalia at official graduation ceremonies. The bill defines “tribal regalia” narrowly as “traditional garments, jewelry, other adornments such as an eagle feather,… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women | Coming together in the people’s house | Capitol Update

By: Hana Saad
May 6, 2023 // Updated: May 6, 2023
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...]

This week is crucial for budget issues, education bills (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
May 2, 2023 // Updated: May 1, 2023
With only four weeks left in this year’s Legislative session, the feud between the House, Senate, and governor over education funding — including tax credits for parents sending their children to private schools — still dominates and is yet to… Read more [More...]

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