We have better options than a costly and poorly-targeted income tax cut

Lawmakers should set aside both of these bills and have a broader discussion about whether it's more important to broadly cut taxes than to provide public services, invest in our state’s future, save for the next economic downturn, or provide better-targeted tax reduction. [More...]

Want to reduce Oklahoma’s public services, hurt local business, and shrink our economy? Eliminate the corporate income tax!

Oklahoma’s corporate income tax is good public policy. Forty-four states have corporate income taxes like Oklahoma’s, and all but two of the remaining states tax business revenues. [More...]

Revenue estimates don’t make budgets. Leaders do.

The State Board of Equalization provided the revenue certification that will serve as the basis for Oklahoma’s budget year that starts July 1, 2021 (FY 2022). The news was better than expected, but doesn’t suggest the state’s long-term budget slide is over. [More...]

FY 2021 Budget Highlights

State agencies will be appropriated a total of $7.715 billion in FY 2021. This is a decrease of $283.2 million (3.5 percent) compared to the initial FY 2020 budget approved last May, and just $46 million (0.6 percent) above FY 2019 (see Figure 1). [More...]

…and two steps back. First look at the state’s FY 2021 budget and what must happen next

In what was likely the most unusual — and contentious — budget process in state history, the Legislature passed the state budget for FY 2021, which starts on July 1. Most allocations to agencies are in the state’s General Appropriations bill (SB 1922), which the Legislature passed despite the Governor’s veto. [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...]

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...]

Year-end revenue reports show the way to keep moving Oklahoma forward

In the coming years, state leaders will have to address short-term needs to support programs that improve Oklahomans’ health, safety, careers, and infrastructure, even as they face a growing long-term structural budget deficit. [More...]

Smaller state agencies get a bigger piece of the budget, but there’s still a ways to go

Over the past decade, all agencies faced repeated and serious budget cuts, but small agencies were hit hardest, with many seeing their state funding cut by 20 to 50 percent. [More...]