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Smart investments are the key to an equitable economic recovery from the COVID-19 recession

While macroeconomic indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (the size of an economy) and the unemployment rate (the percentage of people who want work but can’t find it) are useful for measuring the overall health of an economy, they conceal inequalities and long-standing structural challenges that hurt many Oklahomans' ability to provide for themselves and participate in our economy.  [More...]

Chamber of origin deadline brings heavy workload this week (Capitol Update)

Note: Capitol Update is a guest column from former Oklahoma House Speaker Steve Lewis’ weekly newsletter focused on major events occurring in the state capitol. — Last week was a short week for the legislature. Both the House and Senate… Read more [More...]

COVID-19 worsened an existing crisis for child care in Oklahoma

Due to underfunding, Oklahoma’s child care system for providers and families was in crisis long before the first COVID-19 case at a child care center was reported on March 18, 2020. [More...]

[Weekly Wonk] Cutting taxes this year would be short-sighted | COVID-19, two years later | Diverse voices make better policy

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...]

Cutting taxes this year would be short-sighted and harmful

This legislative session, the Oklahoma legislature is set to consider several proposals that would significantly cut state revenue. Rather than cutting taxes, legislators must consider the state’s long-term fiscal health and its structural deficit by maintaining revenue streams this year and for years to come. [More...]

Evictions are returning to pre-pandemic levels. That’s not a good thing.

Unless action is taken, Oklahoma evictions will return to problematically high levels. Now is the time for policymakers in our state to adopt bold new policies that give renters the support and protections they need to stay in their homes and communities. [More...]

Medicaid expansion has helped Oklahomans weather the pandemic

Throughout this pandemic — and particularly since the implementation of Medicaid expansion in 2021 — Medicaid has fulfilled its purpose: facilitating access to affordable and comprehensive health coverage for those who might otherwise go without health care. State and federal actions have helped maximize the impact of Medicaid, and moving forward we should continue to prioritize accessible coverage for all eligible Oklahomans.  [More...]

[Weekly Wonk] Expanded Child Tax Credit | Tax credits for ITIN filers | Fines & fees in youth justice system | Why revenue matters | We’re hiring!

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...]

All Oklahomans pay taxes, but not all of us can reap the rewards

Allowing these workers the opportunity to receive the tax credit can put money back into our state and local economies. Our state should end state-level EITC exclusion for ITIN filers who pay their fair share in taxes and allow them to receive the tax credit they’ve earned.  [More...]

Oklahoma families need economic support following the ending of the expanded Child Tax Credit

In this year’s legislative session, it is more important than ever that we respond to the needs of Oklahomans and invest in an economy that works for everyone. For far too long, corporations across the state have enjoyed tax breaks and cuts while 1 in 5 of our state’s children grow up in poverty. [More...]

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