State Question 814 would amend the Oklahoma Constitution to change the way Oklahoma’s tobacco settlement money is distributed.
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By:
Emma Morris
August 19, 2020 // Updated: November 19, 2020
Oklahomans on June 30 approved State Question 802, which amended the Oklahoma Constitution to expand Medicaid to low-income adults. Now it’s time to take the next step in implementing that promise. Funding expansion will be a key issue for the Legislature to tackle this spring.
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By:
Paul Shinn
June 2, 2020 // Updated: July 10, 2020
State agencies will be appropriated a total of $7.715 billion in FY 2021. This is a decrease of $283.2 million (3.5 percent) compared to the initial FY 2020 budget approved last May, and just $46 million (0.6 percent) above FY 2019 (see Figure 1).
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In what was likely the most unusual — and contentious — budget process in state history, the Legislature passed the state budget for FY 2021, which starts on July 1. Most allocations to agencies are in the state’s General Appropriations bill (SB 1922), which the Legislature passed despite the Governor’s veto.
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The Oklahoma Policy Institute has evaluated legislative and administrative actions — both state and federal — that will best prepare the state for a long-term recovery that benefits the health and well-being of all Oklahomans.
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By:
Dave Hamby
May 4, 2020 // Updated: May 4, 2020
Statement from Ahniwake Rose, Executive Director for Oklahoma Policy Institute:
Given the extraordinary financial challenges facing Oklahoma, we commend the Legislature for putting together a budget that protects many of Oklahoma’s core services while retaining savings that can be used…
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By putting money into the pockets of Oklahoma’s retirees, the Legislature can help the economy without impacting the state’s budget. There’s no reason that Oklahoma should fall behind the region in benefit levels.
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By:
Paul Shinn
April 15, 2020 // Updated: April 14, 2020
Contrary to talking points from state boosters, Oklahoma is not a low tax state for all Oklahomans. Our regressive tax system ensures that low-income Oklahomans pay more in taxes, as a share of their income, than high-income taxpayers.
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By:
Paul Shinn
April 3, 2020 // Updated: April 7, 2020
The economic slowdown resulting from the spread of COVID-19 will have significant and harmful impacts on our state’s budget. However, it’s essential that we do our best to understand the possible implications and be ready to respond quickly.
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By:
Paul Shinn
March 26, 2020 // Updated: March 28, 2020
The State of Oklahoma has $1.035 billion in three savings accounts. Oklahoma has the resources to act quickly.
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