A tale of two closing funds, the Chinese Communist Party, and genetically modified mice

As the state continues to grapple with severe budget shortfalls, Gov. Fallin’s agenda has mostly involved regulatory changes and managing additional cuts to state services. Yet the governor does have one major new program on her wish list: a deal-closing… Read more [More...]

I don't need it but I'll take it – Revisiting oil and gas tax breaks

A recent news report examining proposals to limit the federal tax deduction for charitable giving concluded with a comment that gets to the crux of the debate over tax breaks: As one donor explained, he doesn’t give to charity to… Read more [More...]

What's at stake: the toll of budget cuts

Another budget year, the same sad story: The combination of tax cuts and the recession results in severe cuts to public services. Over the past two years, most agencies have lost 15 percent or more of their funding. Even though… Read more [More...]

Tax cuts do not have to be regressive

A recent OK Policy fact sheet that analyzed the distribution of  benefits from cutting the state’s top personal income tax rate from 5.5 to 5.25 percent  has generated considerable interest and discussion. The tax cut would have a $120 million… Read more [More...]

Gross Production Tax Fact Sheet

A new fact sheet from Oklahoma Policy Institute looks at Oklahoma’s gross production tax and takes a specific look at the tax exemptions that are offered for different forms of oil and gas production.  Over the past seven years, producers… Read more [More...]

Quick Take: February revenue collections show continued growth but full recovery remains far off

Yesterday, State Finance Director Preston Doerflinger announced state General Revenue (GR) collections for February.  The news was generally positive. February’s collections came in 12.0 percent higher than one year ago; this was the eleventh straight month that monthly GR collections… Read more [More...]

The three part test for tax credits – and the fourth part we should be asking

When we discuss government budgets, direct spending receives the most attention by far. Less noticed is the substantial expenditure on tax credits and incentives, what some have called the “submerged state.” That inattention may have allowed several unconstitutional measures to… Read more [More...]

Should Oklahoma expand its property tax caps and exemptions?

Once again this session, property tax cuts are on the table in Oklahoma. Although curtailing Oklahoma’s already low property taxes with additional freezes and caps may sound appealing, a better approach would target help to people who need it without… Read more [More...]

Cutting Oklahoma’s top income tax rate: Who benefits?

Unless the legislature acts to stop it, another state income tax cut will take effect January 1, 2012. When the cut is fully phased-in, revenues will be reduced by $120 million. An Oklahoma Policy Institute fact sheet shows that the… Read more [More...]

Cutting the top income tax rate: Who benefits?

[UPDATE: You can download ITEP’s analysis here.] Yesterday the Senate voted to abolish the state income tax after Sen. Tom Adelson (D-Tulsa) introduced the measure as an amendment to another bill. With public services heavily dependent on income tax and… Read more [More...]