Tag: update

Oklahoma’s 2018 elections were different in many ways

Looking at the headlines, the results of the November elections might give the impression that nothing much has changed in Oklahoma. Led by Governor-elect Kevin Stitt, Republicans swept all eight statewide offices for a third consecutive election, with all candidates… Read more [More...]

Property crime decreased in Oklahoma as SQ 780 reduced punishments

Before 2016, stealing a smartphone in Oklahoma could be charged as a felony with the possibility of prison time. The passage of SQ 780 raised the felony theft threshold in Oklahoma from $500 to $1000, meaning a person has to steal… Read more [More...]

OKPolicyCast 41: Fair Wages and Overtime for State Workers (with Sterling Zearley)

The OKPolicyCast is hosted by Gene Perry and produced by Gene Perry and Jessica Vazquez. You can subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or RSS. The podcast theme music is by Zébre. If you have any questions for the OKPolicyCast, topics you’d like us to cover,… Read more [More...]

To whom will Governor Stitt be listening? (Capitol Update)

Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. It’s tempting to try to dissect the politics of the election last week, but I think it’s… Read more [More...]

The Weekly Wonk: Medicaid expansion helps rural families; #CountAllKids in 2020 Census; election takeaways; and more…

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...]

More work needed to count all Oklahoma kids in the 2020 Census

Accurate Census data is an essential bedrock for our democracy and economy. We can all pitch in to make sure all Oklahomans are counted in 2020 and beyond. [More...]

To help rural Oklahoma families, expand Medicaid

Millions of Americans gained access to health coverage in 2014 when big parts of the Affordable Care Act kicked in – but the health law’s effects were always muted in Oklahoma. When Oklahoma policymakers declined to accept federal funds to… Read more [More...]

Education and health care frustration pushes against political gravity in tomorrow’s elections (Capitol Update)

Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. Finally. It’s election week. This is one of those few elections in recent years in Oklahoma when… Read more [More...]

The Weekly Wonk: 2017 poverty profile; making justice reform retroactive; spring interships; and more…

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...]

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… Read more [More...]