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

Of tax increases, revenue bills, SQ 640… and ducks

By: David Blatt
March 11, 2010 // Updated: May 2, 2019
With Oklahoma facing a gaping budget hole for the upcoming fiscal year of anywhere from $850 million to $1.6 billion,  depending on one’s calculations, the search for new revenues to fill the gap and avoid devastating cuts to services has… Read more [More...]

Guest blog (Tom Daxon): Putting tax expenditures on the right TRACC

By: David Blatt
March 10, 2010 // Updated: May 2, 2019
From time to time, we use the OK Policy blog to post submissions we receive from Oklahomans who have interesting perspectives on important policy issues for the state. This entry is from Tom Daxon, an Oklahoma City CPA who served… Read more [More...]

Ambidextrous revenue report: One the one hand…on the other hand…

By: David Blatt
March 9, 2010 // Updated: May 1, 2019
The latest state revenue collections announced today provided mixed news: State revenue collections in February exceeded the official estimate for the first time since December 2008, but fell short of prior year collections for the same month, State Treasurer Scott… Read more [More...]

Hurry up and wait: Even with federal approval, Oklahoma coverage expansions left on hold

By: David Blatt
March 8, 2010 // Updated: May 2, 2019
According to the latest U.S. Census figures, 565,000 Oklahomans, or 15.8 percent of the total population, were without health insurance in 2007-2008. The uninsured rate is just under 10 percent for children but over 20 percent for adults ages 18-64.… Read more [More...]

Help us do our work – Contribute to our blog

By: Oklahoma Policy Institute
March 5, 2010 // Updated: November 12, 2021
If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’ve got opinions and points of view on some of the major policy issues confronting Oklahoma. What impact is the economic downturn and fiscal crisis having on the organizations you’re involved in and… Read more [More...]

Asset poverty data shows many have no cushion to fall back on

By: David Blatt
March 4, 2010 // Updated: May 2, 2019
As the economic downturn continues to take its toll in Oklahoma and across the nation, how financially prepared are families to deal with extended periods of unemployment and underemployment. Newly-released data (PDF) from CFED that focuses on “asset poverty” confirms… Read more [More...]

From the frying pan to the fire: As FY 10 budget battle re-erupts, the real hard work waits

By: David Blatt
March 2, 2010 // Updated: May 1, 2019
Just when it looked as if the the extended negotiations over how to address FY ’10 budget shortfalls were finally resolved, a new wrinkle emerged this week.  As a means to protest the continued failure to find supplemental funds for… Read more [More...]

Barking up the wrong tree again: New insurance legislation aims to offer more choices for third-rate coverage

By: David Blatt
March 1, 2010 // Updated: May 2, 2019
We are following with keen interest legislation introduced this session by Senator Bill Brown that would allow for the issuing of health insurance coverage across state lines. SB 2046, which passed the Senate Retirement and Insurance committee and awaits consideration… Read more [More...]

Energy Stabilization Fund proposal would help avoid wild budget swings

By: David Blatt
February 26, 2010 // Updated: May 1, 2019
House Speaker Chris Benge this week was joined by Republican Senator Patrick Anderson and Democratic Senator John Sparks in unveiling a proposal to create a new budgetary reserve fund to help cushion the state from a repeat of the extreme… Read more [More...]

A balanced approach to the state budget: How are we doing?

By: David Blatt
February 25, 2010 // Updated: May 1, 2019
Our friends at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) have put out a new paper addressing the acute fiscal crisis facing states across the nation. As shortfalls reach a level where they are seriously compromising the ability of… Read more [More...]

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