Topic: Budget & Tax

Statement regarding Legislature’s FY 2021 budget proposal

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… Read more [More...]

Four reasons to finish the job on retiree cost of living adjustment

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. [More...]

Oklahoma’s working families need a tax cut. Here’s why

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. [More...]

The state budget is at risk, but how much risk and for how long?

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. [More...]

This is the emergency we’ve been saving for

The State of Oklahoma has $1.035 billion in three savings accounts. Oklahoma has the resources to act quickly. [More...]

Interactive maps show impact of civil service retirees in Oklahoma

In collaboration with the Oklahoma Public Employees Association and with data provided by the state’s five major retirement systems, OK Policy has developed these interactive maps showing the impact retired public employees have in Oklahoma. [More...]

Don’t save – Invest!

We cannot save our way to better education, health, and economic outcomes. Prosperity comes from wise investments based on actual need. [More...]

It’s past time to support our retired public servants

Retired Oklahoma state and local public servants have now gone 10 years without a cost of living adjustment, while inflation has eaten away at their income. [More...]

More of the Same: Corporate tax avoidance hasn’t changed much under 2017 tax law (Guest Post: Matthew Gardner)

A new report from ITEP shows that, based on the first year of financial reports released by companies operating under the new tax law, tax avoidance appears to be every bit as much of a problem under the new tax system as it was before the 2017 tax law took effect. [More...]

The EITC is an effective poverty-fighting tool, and Congress should make it more effective

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one of the most effective anti-poverty programs in America. Despite its effectiveness, one in four Oklahoma households that are eligible for the EITC do not claim the credit. The rules setting out who can claim the credit are extensive and challenging to understand, and as a result many people simply don’t bother. Unfortunately, that means these families are not getting the help they very much need to thrive. If Congress were to simplify the rules around the EITC, they could make this already effective anti-poverty tool even more effective. [More...]