Topic: Budget & Tax

Now is time for long-term planning, not short-term politics (Commentary)

By: Dave Hamby
April 24, 2025 // Updated: April 24, 2025
What if you gave away the biggest tax cut in Oklahoma history, and no one noticed? That’s the reality facing the governor and the legislative leaders he’s trying to pressure to pass income tax cuts that benefit the wealthiest Oklahomans.… Read more [More...]

Oklahomans get what we pay for (Policy Matters)

By: Shiloh Kantz
April 14, 2025 // Updated: April 14, 2025
• This column originally ran in the Journal Record on Feb. 7, 2024 • OK Policy Advocacy Alert: Tell lawmakers to oppose tax cuts that benefit the wealthy and risk critical services Oklahomans pay among the least in taxes when… Read more [More...]

Lawmakers should choose targeted relief amidst budget uncertainty

By: Aanahita Ervin
March 24, 2025 // Updated: April 15, 2025
State-level budget and tax policy matters deeply for Oklahomans because it directly affects how the state can meet its obligations to our fellow residents. This includes shared services like public safety, education, transportation construction, workforce development, and other programs that… Read more [More...]

Let’s not kid ourselves: Oklahoma can’t run without income tax revenue

By: Aanahita Ervin
March 3, 2025 // Updated: March 3, 2025
Income tax is a necessary revenue source for Oklahoma’s fiscal health. Reducing or eliminating income taxes provides almost no relief for the segment of Oklahoma’s population who needs it most: low- and middle-class taxpayers. In fact, the elimination of income… Read more [More...]

Policy Matters: ‘Path to zero’ is a dangerous road

By: Shiloh Kantz
February 24, 2025 // Updated: April 24, 2025
This column originally ran Feb. 5, 2025 in The Journal Record During his State of the State address, the governor again pitched plans to cut – and eventually eliminate – Oklahoma’s personal income tax. This so-called “path to zero” is… Read more [More...]

Governor’s costs for his proposed income tax cut have quietly increased. Here’s why lawmakers should prioritize targeted tax credits to help working families.

By: Dave Hamby
February 18, 2025 // Updated: February 18, 2025
Last month, when the governor initially announced a proposal to cut the state’s personal income tax by a half-percent, the Oklahoma Policy Institute raised the flag that these cuts would cost about $660 million in state revenue annually – nearly… Read more [More...]

Who really wins from tax cuts? (Hint: It’s probably not you) 

By: Dave Hamby
February 3, 2025 // Updated: February 3, 2025
During today’s State of the State address, the governor is expected to renew his call for cutting taxes in Oklahoma. The "path to zero" is a dangerous road. [More...]

FACT CHECK: How would the governor’s proposal to cut, eliminate personal income tax affect Oklahoma?

By: Dave Hamby
January 29, 2025 // Updated: January 29, 2025
Gov. Stitt has called for cutting then eliminating the state's personal income tax. Here is an estimate of how it would impact Oklahomans and what it would cost. [More...]

Fact Check: How much would Oklahomans save with a 0.5% personal income tax cut?

By: Dave Hamby
// Updated: January 29, 2025
Proposal Gov. Stitt has proposed a 0.5% cut to the state’s individual income tax rate. (January 29, 2025) Related: This income tax cut would be his first proposed step to eventually eliminate the state’s personal income tax, which he calls… Read more [More...]

OK Policy comments on revenue numbers estimated during December’s Board of Equalization meeting

By: Aanahita Ervin
December 20, 2024 // Updated: December 20, 2024
Statement from Aanahita Ervin, OK Policy’s Fiscal Policy Analyst: 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… Read more [More...]