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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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Only smash the piggy bank in emergencies (Policy Matters)

By: Shiloh Kantz
May 2, 2025 // Updated: May 2, 2025

This column originally appeared in The Journal Record on April 23, 2025 Imagine you’re saving money in case your roof starts leaking during a storm. One day, instead of fixing the roof, you decide to hand that money to someone… Read more [More...]

The HB 1200 tax proposal would be a terrible legacy for this session (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
April 28, 2025 // Updated: April 28, 2025

As legislators draft the state budget and conclude the session, they will confront the issue of what to do with Gov. Kevin Stitt’s proposal for an income tax cut and the eventual elimination of the state income tax. House Bill… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Budget transparency took a step forward last year. Where are we now? | Only smash the piggy bank in emergencies | Fact checking HB 1539

By: Dave Hamby
April 26, 2025 // Updated: April 26, 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...]

Now is time for long-term planning, not short-term politics (Commentary)

By: Dave Hamby
April 24, 2025 // Updated: April 24, 2025

What if you gave away the biggest tax cut in Oklahoma history, and no one noticed? That’s the reality facing the governor and the legislative leaders he’s trying to pressure to pass income tax cuts that benefit the wealthiest Oklahomans.… Read more [More...]

Budget transparency took a step forward last year. Where are we now?

By: Aanahita Ervin
// Updated: April 24, 2025

For a deeper look at Oklahoma’s budget process, check out our 2022 report Focus on Transparency Oklahoma historically has had one of the nation’s least transparent budget processes. In recent years, the handful of senior lawmakers assembling the budget bills… Read more [More...]

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

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...]

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