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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
OK Policy comments on revenue numbers estimated during December’s Board of Equalization meeting: The Board of Equalization on Friday certified an $8.225 billion estimate of funds for the governor’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal. Given this is an early estimate, lawmakers should not view this as a green light to move forward with future revenue cuts in the form of poorly planned tax cuts. Instead, lawmakers should modernize existing tax credits that put money into the pockets of the Oklahomans who need it most, while also protecting vital state revenue. These targeted tax credits are the most fiscally responsible way for lawmakers to deliver tax relief to Oklahomans who need them. [Aanahita Ervin / OK Policy]
Policy Matters: State, local media vital to Oklahoma’s success: Strong, independent local media is the heartbeat of our communities. They help connect us and hold the powerful accountable, whether it’s at the city hall, school board, or local business level. When no one is watching, the temptation to cut corners — or worse — becomes too great. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record]
Addressing the complex needs for mental health services for people held in state’s custody (Capitol Update): In an opinion piece in the Tulsa World last weekend, Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler expressed concern about a request for proposal by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services seeking a private hospital vendor for 100 beds to move people who have already been tried and found not guilty by reason of insanity outside of the state-owned Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Join Our Team as a Regional Organizer, Southwest Region (Winter 2025): OK Policy is hiring for a Regional Organizer supports OK Policy in the development and implementation of virtual and community-based advocacy actions that further policy goals. This position works as part of OK Policy’s grassroots advocacy arm Together Oklahoma (TOK) to engage communities and affinity groups. Apply by Jan. 5. [Learn more and apply]
OK Policy’s Best of 2024: As 2024 comes to a close, we’re proud to share some of OK Policy’s most impactful publications of the year. From in-depth reports and thoughtful commentary to data-driven analysis, these highlights reflect our commitment to advancing policies that build a more prosperous, equitable Oklahoma. Explore the best of our work from 2024 and see how research, advocacy, and community voices are shaping our state’s future. [OK Policy]
Weekly What’s That
A primary responsibility of the Board is to provide an official estimate of how much revenue will be available for the Oklahoma Legislature to spend for the coming year. Three times a year, in December, February and June, the Board meets to certify revenue estimates for the upcoming budget year. Estimates are prepared by the Oklahoma Tax Commission and other agencies.
The Board is also responsible for assessing taxable property values for entities such as public service companies, railroads, and airlines. Each Oklahoma county has its own Board of Equalization that settles disagreements between county assessors and property owners about the taxable value of property.
Look up more key terms to understand Oklahoma politics and government here.
Quote of the Week
“It’s, again, politics ahead of setting good policy. The superintendent is trying to play politics with kids.”
-State Sen. Michael Brooks of Oklahoma City said responding to the State Department of Education request for reports related to the number of undocumented students within school districts. [The Oklahoman]
Op-Ed of the Week
Every December brings new opportunities to make lists, whether they’re for gifts, holiday cards or resolutions for the new year.
For physicians like me, however, there’s also the ever-present policy wish list filled with ways to improve patient care and cut through the red tape that limits our capacity to help more Oklahomans.
As we approach a new year — and a new legislative session — it’s imperative to explore how legislators have the power to improve health care in 2025 and beyond.
[Read the full op-ed from Edgar Morris Boyd on Oklahoma Voice’s webpage]
Numbers of the Week
- 36% – Percentage of Oklahomans who hold an associate degree or higher, compared to the national average of 48.4%. [U.S. Census Bureau via Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education]
- $12.56 – The hourly mean wage for childcare workers in southeast Oklahoma’s non-metropolitan areas. Childcare employees here reported an annual mean wage of $26,130. [Bureau of Labor Statistics]
- 22% – Between January 2020 and September 2024, the price of day care and preschool rose about 22%, according to national data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). [Pew Research]
- 3 – Number of Oklahoma counties — Harmon, Jefferson, and Roger Mills — that are considered news deserts because they don’t have a news outlet serving their community. Seven other counties — Choctaw, Coal, Cotton, Haskell, Hughes, Okfuskee, and Tillman — were identified as being at risk for losing their county’s sole local news source. [Local News Initiative / Northwestern University]
- $200 million – The amount of taxpayer dollars slated to be used in 2025 for families to claim tax credits for private school tuition. That amount is scheduled to increase to $250 million in 2026. [House Bill 1934]
What We’re Reading
- How Local Governments Raise Revenue — and What it Means for Tax Equity: The tens of thousands of local governments across the United States are frontline providers of the essential services that create thriving communities. Well-structured local tax policies support and strengthen this goal, facilitating important investments while advancing fairness and opportunity. This resource offers detailed information on how localities raise tax revenue across the U.S., shedding light on the equity and adequacy of these measures at a critical moment for local leaders and the people they serve. [Institute on Economic Policy and Taxation]
- Child Care Centers That Pay Their Teachers More Are Less Likely to Have Staffing Challenges: Many child care providers struggle to hire and retain staff, which can limit families’ access to care. However, most states do not have data about child care staffing and enrollment on a large scale, which can limit their ability to understand and address challenges faced by providers and families. To ensure that families can access child care, federal and state policymakers could establish more reliable funding streams that allow providers to increase teacher pay, keep teachers, and remain financially stable. Without this support, centers with more limited finances and low teacher pay are more likely to lose teachers and turn families away. [Urban Institute]
- 2024 Must-Reads: 9 Stories About Early Care and Education That We Can’t Stop Thinking About: Child care funding, the cost and quality of care, and working conditions and pay for early educators, were among the year’s top themes. We want to celebrate and honor the powerful stories that have shaped important conversations around our nation’s youngest children and the families, caregivers, and early educators who support them. [The 74]
- The State of Local News 2024: Expanding Deserts, Shifts in Ownership, and Expanded Digital Coverage: The loss of local newspapers is continuing at an alarming pace, deepening the local news crisis and further depriving people of information they need to make informed decisions. Local news deserts are spreading. A furious pace of mergers and acquisitions is underway, as many longtime newspaper owners bail, and regional chains capitalize on opportunities. Meanwhile, the number of standalone digital local news sites has continued to grow. [Local News Initiative / Northwestern University]
- How vouchers harm public schools: Voucher programs for schools are rapidly expanding across the country. Under these programs, public budgets provide funding to parents to either send their children to private school or homeschool them. These programs’ growing popularity raises the question of whether letting public money leave the public school system and subsidize private forms of schooling is a way to improve children’s access to an excellent education. EPI’s analysis shows that vouchers harm public schools. [Economic Policy Institute]
