Category: Reports and Fact Sheets

Boosting the Grocery Tax Credit – Stand Up for Oklahoma’s Families

In these difficult times, an increasing number of Oklahoma families are struggling every week to make ends up meet and keep food on the table. Oklahoma’s Sales Tax Relief Credit, also known as the grocery tax credit, is intended to… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma’s Uninsured

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals that 641,000 Oklahoman under the age of 65 were without health insurance coverage in 2006-07, which is more than one out of every five non-elderly Oklahomans. This fact sheet from OK Policy looks… Read more [More...]

Families USA: Health Reform in Oklahoma – Building on a Solid Foundation

On September 22, 2008, the Oklahoma Health Care Reform Task Force heard a presentation from Kathleen Stoll, Deputy Executive Director of Families USA, a non-profit organization based in Washington D.C. that brings the voice of consumers to federal and state… Read more [More...]

Passing the Buck: How Federal Policies are Worsening State Budget Problems

Federal policies have a major and far-ranging impact ont the fiscal situation of state government. Unfortunately, a whole set of federal polies are converging to worsen Oklahoma’s budget problems. This issue brief by OK Policy examines four broad examples of… Read more [More...]

Fact Sheet: Oklahoma’s Tax Cuts: Who Benefits?

This fact sheet explores the distribution of benefits from the two largest tax cuts enacted in Oklahoma between 2004 and 2006, based on analysis conducted for OK Policy by the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy. Almost three-quarter of the… Read more [More...]

Fact Sheet: Income Tax Cuts Have Dampened Oklahoma Revenues by $400-$600 Million

Individual income tax collections over the last two state budget years grew by less than 1 percent. This miniscule growth, at a time of a strong state economy, reflects the impact of tax cuts enacted between 2004 and 2006. Analysis… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma Poverty Profile 2007

New U.S. Census Bureau data revealed a drop in Oklahoma’s poverty rate in 2007 – from 17.0% to 15.9% – and a significant increase in median household income. While this showed that Oklahoma’s strong economy was finally providing benefits to… Read more [More...]

Fact Sheet: Transportation Funding Assured of Growth

Legislation passed on the final day of the 2008 session provides for major additional funding for state transportation projects over the coming years. This fact sheet looks at how the state’s transportation budget is projected to grow from $400 million… Read more [More...]

Falling Flat: FY ’09 Budget Review

The 2008 Legislature approved a “maintenance-of-effort” budget that provides a mere 0.7% increase in appropriations for FY ’09 compared to FY ’08. However, as agencies grapple with rising operating costs and unfunded benefit increases, flat funding may fall short of… Read more [More...]

On the Brink: Oklahoma Families Are Already Facing Tough Times

Oklahoma’s economy continues to outperform the nation’s as a whole, yet many families are already caught in the financial pinch of stagnant wages and rising costs. This issue brief and the fact sheet explore the main factors contributing to the… Read more [More...]