No-tax day

April 15. I’m not a fan of tax day. Who is? After several tortuous weeks of determining whether I have excess distributions from my 529 plan  and deciding how much I owe to the two states I lived in last… Read more [More...]

An expenditure by any other name

As states across the nation face a worsening fiscal crisis and the prospect of deep spending cuts, some policymakers and advocates are attempting to shine additional light on the traditionally dark corner in which reside the large and ever-growing array… Read more [More...]

Property Taxes in Oklahoma

Property taxes are the largest single local government revenue sources in Oklahoma and Oklahoma has among the nation’s lowest property taxes. Two ballot measures that will be voted on in Novermber 2012 would further limit property taxes if approved by… Read more [More...]

Tribes and the Recovery Act

In addition to the multiple funding streams made available to state governments by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), tribal governments are also in line to receive substantial assistance for programs serving Native Americans. This website of the National… Read more [More...]

Less bang for the tax cut buck

Mickey’s Musings, the policy blog of UCO Economics Professor Mickey Hepner, is consistently one of the best local sources for credible information and thoughtful opinion on economic and fiscal issues facing Oklahoma and the nation. One of Mickey’s favorite themes,… Read more [More...]

Take the money

A new OK Policy issue brief looks at the federal stimulus funding that is being made available to states that adopt a number of modest reforms to their Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs. As the number of jobless workers claiming UI… Read more [More...]

Whack-a-bill

This session, OK Policy has been involved with a coalition of organizations and individuals promoting an increase in the Sales Tax Relief credit, commonly known as the grocery tax credit.  The existing credit, intended to offset the state sales tax… Read more [More...]

Unemployment Insurance Reforms Would Help Oklahoma Workers and Businesses

Under provisions that were enacted as part of the federal stimulus bill in February, Oklahoma could be eligible for $75.9 million in federal funds for its Unemployment Insurance program that could avert or minimize tax increases and benefits cuts, provided… Read more [More...]

Bonus blues

The AP reported Thursday that Oklahoma’s budget shortfall could potentially take another $65  million hit as a result of tax provisions that were included as part of the federal stimulus bill passed by Congress in February. The stimulus bill, or… Read more [More...]

State government in action

On Tuesday, Governor Henry convened the second meeting of the 15 member American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Coordinating Council, which brings together Cabinet Secretaries and agency directors with primary responsibility for implementing the myriad provisions of the stimulus bill… Read more [More...]