OKPOLICY.ORG
An overview of our work on economic opportunity in Oklahoma
Financial security and economic opportunity should be within reach for all Oklahomans. OK Policy analyzes ideas to reduce poverty and increase opportunities for individuals and families. We promote policies to expand ownership of assets which are critical to maintaining economic security over a lifetime, such as homes, businesses, vehicles, savings, investments, education, good jobs, and good credit scores.
See all of our economic opportunity research here.
Resource: Benefits simulator helps families understand assistance programs and helps support better policies
OK Policy’s simulator is a menu-driven Microsoft Excel worksheet in which users input details about a family to see how assistance programs help them at various hours of work and hourly wages. Users can also decide which assistance programs and tax credits they want to consider or choose all options to see all the help they could receive.
Learn more and download simulator.
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Economic Opportunity Facts
Featured Articles and Reports
In The Know: Cherokee chief promises opposition to ‘enemies of tribal sovereignty’ | OSDE faces second wrongful termination suit | Oklahomans deserve more than incremental justice reform | More
In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma’s state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Subscribe to More...
Weekly Wonk: Economic power of women | A glimmer of hope in the dark | Capitol Update
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 The Know. Click here to subscribe to In The Know. This Week from OK Policy More...
Our new benefits simulator helps families understand assistance programs and helps support better policies
OK Policy’s simulator is a menu-driven Microsoft Excel worksheet in which users input details about a family to see how assistance programs help them at various hours of work and hourly wages. More...
New KIDS COUNT® pandemic policy report shows immediate action needed for Oklahoma children and families
All children in Oklahoma deserve to have their basic needs met, especially during these unprecedented times. Unfortunately, data from a new KIDS COUNT® report show that too many Oklahoma families are struggling to weather this public health crisis. More...
New OK Policy report shows intricate, fragile interconnectedness of public assistance programs for Oklahomans in need
A new report from the Oklahoma Policy Institute — entitled “Plateaus and Cliff Effects in Oklahoma” — is among the first of its kind to examine how public supports and income interact to impact low-income Oklahomans. More...
2020 Focus Areas
OK Policy has determined its focus areas for Oklahoma’s upcoming legislative session based on the organization’s original research, analysis, and feedback from state residents. More...
New paper series from OK Policy sheds light on Oklahomans left behind by economic recovery
You’ve probably heard a lot of people saying recently that Oklahoma’s economy is strong again and that’s partially true. There are reasons to be optimistic about our economy. But too many Oklahomans are still struggling despite statewide progress. Some parts of Oklahoma and groups of Oklahomans still have high unemployment rates, the percentage of our adult population participating in the workforce is decreasing, and job creation in Oklahoma hasn’t kept pace with our population growth. More...
Expansion in Federal Funding is Improving Access and Quality in Oklahoma’s Child Care Subsidy Program
In fiscal year 2019, Oklahoma’s child care subsidy program operated by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) received a $32 million increase in federal funding, which represents a 36 percent increase from the previous year. With Oklahoma continuing its state commitment to the subsidy program, OKDHS was able to significantly improve provider rates, invest in training for providers, and reduce costs and expand eligibility for Oklahoma families. More...Oklahoma Poverty Profile
[Download the 2017 Poverty Profile as a PDF Fact Sheet] 621,076 Oklahomans had incomes below the poverty level in 2017. That’s 15.8 percent of Oklahoma’s population, or about 1 out of every 6 Oklahomans. The poverty rate in Oklahoma continues to be above the national average For more than a decade, Oklahoma’s poverty rate has More...
New Census data shows that Oklahoma fell further behind the U.S. on poverty and uninsured rate for second consecutive year
Oklahoma lags behind the nation in our efforts to help families get ahead. New data from the Census Bureau shows that poverty in Oklahoma is still above the national average. In 2017, nearly 1 in 6 Oklahomans (15.8 percent) were living with income below the poverty line ($24,600 for a family of four) before taxes. And More...
