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In The Know is a daily synopsis of Oklahoma policy-related news and blogs. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. E-mail your suggestions for In The Know items to gperry@okpolicy.org. You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail.
New Census data shows Oklahoma still ranked in the bottom five states in per-pupil spending on education. The state auditor and inspector will audit tax credit programs administered by the Oklahoma Tax Commission. The Oklahoma Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a proposal to allow grocery stores to sell wine.
City and county officials in Tulsa are nearing agreement on a possible tax package for airport industrial complex improvements and business incentives. The Oklahoman questioned a $9.5 million price tag for legal work in a suit against the state for failure to adequately protect children under their supervision. A minister wrote in a letter to the editor of the Muskogee Phoenix that he’s concerned with the growing trend of candidates and elected officials who put religious principles over public service.
A video on the OK Policy Blog explores the role of summer food programs in feeding children whose families rely on meals during the school year to help stretch their grocery budget. State Treasurer Ken Miller told the Norman Chamber of Commerce that the key to continued prosperity is a diversified economy.
The Number of the Day is the number of Oklahoma youths who report having ever used marijuana. In today’s Policy Note, The Pew Center on the States reports on the growing gap between states’ outstanding public pension and health care liability, and the money they’ve actually set aside to fund them.
In The News
Oklahoma nears bottom of list for education spending
Oklahoma has the fourth-lowest per-pupil spending in the country, according to data released Thursday from the U.S. Census Bureau. Oklahoma spends about $7,900 per student each year — about $2,700 less per child than the national average. Oklahoma has the fourth-lowest per-pupil spending in the country, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau. Oklahoma spent $7,896 per student in fiscal year 2010, compared to the $10,615 national average.
Read more from NewsOK at http://newsok.com/oklahoma-nears-bottom-of-list-for-education-spending/article/3686593#ixzz1yWnFlbF5
Oklahoma auditor begins audit of state tax credits
Oklahoma’s auditor and inspector will audit tax credit programs administered by the Oklahoma Tax Commission. State Auditor Gary Jones said Thursday the legislative Tax Credit Task Force identified several areas of concern following a review of the state’s tax credit programs over the past year. The task force recommended the programs be audited to ensure they comply with statutory requirements granting the credit.
Read more from the Associated Press at http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-06-21/oklahoma-auditor-begins-audit-of-state-tax-credits
Supreme Court justices weigh Oklahoma wine plan
A proposal to allow grocery stores in Oklahoma’s largest counties to sell wine is in the hands of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Justices heard oral arguments Thursday on Initiative Petition 396. Oklahomans for Modern Laws filed the plan and must collect the signatures of 155,216 registered voters to place the issue on the November ballot.
Read more from NewsOK at http://newsok.com/supreme-court-justices-weigh-oklahoma-wine-plan/article/3686366#ixzz1yWd7VHHq
Tax proposal for airport industrial upgrades and business incentives in Tulsa draws nearer
A deal on a possible tax package for airport industrial complex improvements and business incentives could be made public next week, Tulsa Metro Chamber officials said Wednesday. City, county and regional leaders are privately meeting again this week to reach a “consensus agreement” on what the potential package should include and how it should be funded, chamber spokeswoman LToya Knighten said. Ideas that have been floated to fund a package include pursing a limited extension of the Tulsa Vision 2025 sales-tax program or a full-blown Vision 2025 Part Two that would include a host of other projects and going after other tax shares or tax increases.
Read more from the Tulsa World at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20120621_11_A11_Adealo975404
New York attorney fees inapt for lawsuit filed in Oklahoma
What’s a New York minute worth? For lawyers in the Big Apple, 60 seconds is valued at $11.67. At least that’s what the attorneys for Children’s Rights Inc. say they’re worth for work done in a lawsuit filed against the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. Children’s Rights wants $9.5 million for costs associated with the lawsuit. The amount includes legal fees priced at $700 an hour. That’s vastly more than what lawyers would charge in Oklahoma. This is important because the lawsuit was filed here, not in Manhattan. Also of note is that no actual trial time was involved.
Read more from NewsOK at http://newsok.com/new-york-attorney-fees-inapt-for-lawsuit-filed-in-oklahoma/article/3686143#ixzz1yWdoCdaG
Religion should not be goal of legislators
Our doorbell rang one evening last week, and a winsome young man urged my wife and me to support his candidate for state legislature. We asked, “what are your candidate’s goals?” His reply, “he wants to bring Christian values to the legislature.” We asked, “is that how the Constitution describes the duty of a legislator?”
Read more from the Muskogee Phoenix at http://muskogeephoenix.com/opinion/x1767475922/THE-PEOPLE-SPEAK-Religion-should-not-be-goal-of-legislators
State treasurer optimistic about Oklahoma’s economy
Looking back on fiscal year 2011-12, Oklahoma State Treasurer Ken Miller said the state is “doin’ something right.” Miller spoke at the annual Norman Chamber of Commerce Legislative Wrap-up luncheon Tuesday afternoon, detailing economic trends in the state based on tax collections. Miller, who has a doctorate in economics from OU and formerly served in the Legislature, said Oklahoma has had great success in weathering and recovering from the national and global recession. He emphasized the importance of a diversified economy and a more broad taxation strategy as the state looks to the future.
Read more from the Edmond Sun at http://www.edmondsun.com/local/x439046179/State-treasurer-optimistic-about-Oklahoma-s-economy
Quote of the Day
It’s disappointing. We’ve got to do better.
Linda Hampton, president of the Oklahoma Education Association, on news that the state ranks near the bottom for education funding
Number of the Day
1 in 3
Oklahoma youths report having ever used marijuana, 2011
Source: Oklahoma Youth Risk Behavior Survey
See previous Numbers of the Day here.
Policy Note
The Widening Gap Update: States are $1.38 Trillion Short in Funding Retirement Systems
States continue to lose ground in their efforts to cover the long-term costs of their employees’ pensions and retiree health care. In fiscal year 2010, states were $1.38 trillion short of having saved enough to pay their retirement bills, a nine percent increase from the year before. Over the last three years, the majority of states put reforms in place to better manage their retirement bills, but there is more work to be done to get back on solid fiscal footing.
Read more from Pew at http://www.pewstates.org/research/reports/the-widening-gap-update-85899398241
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