Category: Reports and Fact Sheets

Unemployment Insurance Reforms Would Help Oklahoma Workers and Businesses

Under provisions that were enacted as part of the federal stimulus bill in February, Oklahoma could be eligible for $75.9 million in federal funds for its Unemployment Insurance program that could avert or minimize tax increases and benefits cuts, provided… Read more [More...]

Apply for the Grocery Tax Credit

As tax season approaches, many Oklahomans may be eligible for a tax credit geared to assisting with the rising cost of groceries. The Sales Tax Relief credit, more commonly known as the grocery tax credit, was created in 1990 as… Read more [More...]

Legislative Proposals to Waive Benefit Coverage Obligations

Two bills under consideration by the 2009 Legislature would allow health insurance companies to offer insurance policies to individuals under the age of 40 that do not cover health services that must otherwise be provided under state law. These mandated… Read more [More...]

FY’10 Certification

On February 17, 2009, the Board of Equalization met and certified a revised, binding estimate of revenues available for appropriation in the upcoming budget year, FY ’10. With the national economic downturn now hitting the state, the Legislature will have… Read more [More...]

FY ’10 Certification

On February 17, 2009, the Board of Equalization met and certified a revised, binding estimate of revenues available for appropriation in the upcoming budget year, FY ’10. With the national economic downturn now hitting the state, the Legislature will have… Read more [More...]

Governor Henry’s FY’10 Executive Budget

Governor Brad Henry delivered his Executive Budget for the upcoming year, FY ’10, on February 2, 2009. Despite declining state revenues, the Governor was able to present a balanced $7.084 billion budget without tax increases, across-the-board budget cuts, or use… Read more [More...]

Options for Addressing State Budget Shortfalls

Oklahoma has now joined the vast majority of states that are projecting shortfalls for the upcoming budget year. As Governor Henry prepares to deliver his FY ’10 Executive Budget for the opening of the 2009 legislative session next week, OK… Read more [More...]

Fact Sheets: The Lottery, Gaming and Tobacco Tax after Four Years

In the fall of 2004 Oklahoma voters approved three controversial revenue-raising measures that offered the promise of increasing state funding for key public services: a state lottery (SQ 705 and SQ 706), gaming compacts (SQ 712), and tobacco tax increases… Read more [More...]

Expanding Access to Affordable Health Insurance

The availability and cost of health insurance rank among the most worrisome issues facing OKlahoma families and among the most pressing challenges confronting Oklahoma policymakers. This fall, the Oklahoma Health Care Task Force has been meeting to examine the crisis… Read more [More...]

Increasing the State Earned Income Tax Credit: Targeting Tax Relief to the Working Poor

The EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) is a refundable tax credit for working families that has been shown to reduce poverty, encourage work, and help local economies. Oklahoma’s state EITC, enacted in 2001, is set at 5% of the federal… Read more [More...]