I've seen 12 Oklahoma legislative sessions, and I am at this point pretty well accustomed to the mounting drama at 23rd and Lincoln as sine die draws near. However, this spring has been even wilder than usual. Topped off by Wednesday's surprise announcement that the governor and legislative leaders had, behind closed doors, struck a deal with both an immediate tax cut and a triggered tax cut.
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By:
Dave Hamby
May 14, 2025 // Updated: May 14, 2025
While the governor says he wants to make Oklahoma more "pro-business," his rhetoric doesn't match what business leaders call for. Instead of investing in these areas, this proposal includes poorly designed tax cuts that will strip hundreds of millions from state revenue — making it even harder to deliver on the basics Oklahomans expect.
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Automatic triggered tax cuts provide little to no financial relief for low- and middle-income families, jeopardize the state's fiscal health, and limit investment in Oklahoma's already underfunded public services.
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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.…
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• 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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.
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