Private school tax credits will give everyone’s taxes to people who don’t need our help

While this program could make private and homeschooling more practical or affordable for a few families, taxpayers will mostly be paying for people to do what they were willing to pay for on their own. As a result, we’ll be handing millions of tax dollars to the most well-off among us while propping up private schools, whose enrollment has stagnated in recent years. [More...]

FY 2024 Budget: Lawmakers diverted taxpayer dollars to private schools, but missed opportunities to support everyday Oklahomans

[FY 2024 Budget Highlights] Throughout the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers discussed further reducing state revenue by cutting various taxes, with the understanding that any major tax and spending changes would only be passed as part of the state budget. As… Read more [More...]

FY 2024 Budget Highlights

[Download this report as a pdf] | [See charts] | [FY 2024 Budget Analysis] The FY 2024 budget makes some key investments in agencies, but misses opportunities to help everyday Oklahomans.  For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 (FY… Read more [More...]

FY2024 state budget proposal has promise, but could do more for everyday Oklahomans

OK Policy shares a first look at the FY2024 budget with wins, missed opportunities, and decisions that don't center the needs of everyday Oklahomans. [More...]

Flat tax, tax triggers would make Oklahoma’s tax system less fair, less adequate, and less stable

• Current Tax Cut Proposals Don’t Help Most Oklahomans [Printable PDF] With less than two weeks left in the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers have very little time remaining to reach agreement on, reveal, and adopt the Fiscal Year 2024 state… Read more [More...]

Vouchers: Another Wrong Turn for Oklahoma Schools

Oklahoma legislators are considering several unpredictable, expensive, and dangerous proposals to drastically change our state education policy. These proposals would use tax dollars to fund private education for fewer than 1 in 10 Oklahoma children and take funding from public schools. [More...]

Modernizing the Sales Tax Relief Credit will cut taxes for those who need it

• Information sheet about the Sales Tax Relief Credit [PDF]  In recent years, state leaders have continually proposed eliminating the state portion of the sales tax on groceries. The House of Representatives passed House Bill 1955 in late March to… Read more [More...]

10 questions every Oklahoman should be asking lawmakers about private school vouchers, tax credits

Changes to funding our educational system — especially sweeping changes that could cascade negative fiscal impacts to other state agencies and programs — should be based on reliable data and should include input from Oklahoma parents and caregivers. Here are 10 questions we think lawmakers should be asked about these proposals. (And as with any math problem, lawmakers should be asked to show their work.)  [More...]

Undocumented immigrants pay taxes: The $133.7 million elephant in the room

One of the most deeply ingrained myths about immigrants who are undocumented is that they don’t pay taxes. In reality, immigrants without documentation pay taxes in multiple ways and contribute more to the U.S. and state economy than they receive… Read more [More...]

Tax proposals this session fail to deliver inflation relief, jeopardize state’s long-term fiscal health

Call to Action Contact your lawmakers to urge them to oppose across-the-board, untargeted tax cuts and other handouts for wealthy Oklahomans and out-of-state companies.  • Contact your lawmaker • Current Tax Cut Proposals Don’t Help Most Oklahomans [Printable PDF] With… Read more [More...]