Topic: Budget & Tax

We must end oil and gas tax breaks to save Oklahoma communities

By: David Blatt
April 24, 2017 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Oklahoma is facing a genuine budget crisis. Our schools, care providers, correctional facilities, judicial system, and other critical functions have absorbed year after year of cuts and are losing the ability to fill their basic missions. The loss of these services… Read more [More...]

There will be some revenue bills passed, but the question is how much? (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
April 21, 2017 // Updated: May 1, 2019
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. The work of the standing committees is finished for this session. Bills now have one week… Read more [More...]

What happened to my refund?

By: Courtney Cullison
April 18, 2017 // Updated: May 2, 2019
It’s tax time again, and if you are one of the more than 300,000 Oklahoma households that claim the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) you may have noticed that your tax refund is lower than it was last year,… Read more [More...]

Fog has yet to clear on state budget (Capitol Updates)

By: Steve Lewis
April 14, 2017 // Updated: May 1, 2019
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. Nine weeks down and seven weeks to go in this session, and the fog has… Read more [More...]

Budget cuts would hit Oklahoma’s small towns hard

By: David Blatt
April 13, 2017 // Updated: September 22, 2023
Atoka Public Schools Schools is a district that serves 996 students in K-12, employing 70 teachers and professional staff and 127 total employees. Since 2009, it has seen its funding decrease by $500,000. This year, it is one of 100… Read more [More...]

Arts and Culture: A public-private partnership that’s good for education, the economy, and Oklahoma’s future (Guest Post: Brenda Granger)

By: Guest
April 12, 2017 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Brenda Granger is Executive Director of the Oklahoma Museums Association. Today is Oklahoma Arts Day at the State Capitol. Arts and culture promote civility and transcend all boundaries. Arts and culture bring people together. Arts and culture are rooted in… Read more [More...]

Another shoe to drop on state finances? (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
April 7, 2017 // Updated: May 1, 2019
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. I have a feeling there may be another shoe to drop when it comes to… Read more [More...]

Update: Rainy Day Fund 101

By: David Blatt
April 6, 2017 // Updated: May 1, 2019
Last week, news broke that the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) had borrowed money from the Rainy Day Fund to make budget allocations to state agencies. The fund had a beginning balance of some $243 million, and OMES… Read more [More...]

DHS Director: Oklahoma budget cut scenarios range “from the terrible to the unthinkable”

By: Gene Perry
March 23, 2017 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Unless lawmakers find new revenues to close their budget shortfall, Oklahoma is looking at unprecedented cuts to the most basic services of state government, including those for the most vulnerable seniors, children, and people with disabilities. Even before next year’s… Read more [More...]

Legislature’s timid approach to a teacher raise doesn’t bode well for schools (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
March 17, 2017 // Updated: May 2, 2019
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. I watched the House floor debate on HB 1114 by Rep. Michael Rogers (R-Broken Arrow)… Read more [More...]