Topic: Economic Opportunity

Poor judgement: Bills aimed at low-income Oklahomans move through state legislature

By: Kate Richey
April 17, 2013 // Updated: May 2, 2019
A little over a month ago we alerted readers to a slew of bills targeting safety net assistance programs for the state’s poorest families and most vulnerable residents.  Some of those bills have been amended to be less draconian, some… Read more [More...]

Upcoming Event: Policy & Practice lecture explores closing the opportunity gap

By: David Blatt
April 15, 2013 // Updated: May 2, 2019
The Oklahoma Department of Human Service’s Practice and Policy Lecture Series will host our very own policy analyst, Kate Richey, on April 25th  to discuss Oklahoma’s racial wealth gap in asset building. The free event will take place from noon… Read more [More...]

Expensive to be poor: Are we saving the state money by pushing fees onto low-income Oklahomans?

By: Gene Perry
April 2, 2013 // Updated: May 2, 2019
A wide-ranging government modernization bill passed in 2011 required all funds disbursed from the State Treasury be sent electronically. A major effect of this provision is that the Oklahoma Tax Commission will no longer send paper checks for tax refunds.… Read more [More...]

She works hard for the money (Guest Post: Camille Landry)

By: Camille Landry
March 18, 2013 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Camille Landry is a writer, activist, and advocate for social justice who lives in Oklahoma City. This is part of her “Neglected Oklahoma” series,  focused on Oklahomans who find themselves in a position where the basic necessities of life are… Read more [More...]

Threats to the Safety Net: Bills affecting low-income Oklahomans

By: Kate Richey
March 5, 2013 // Updated: May 2, 2019
A number of bills targeting safety net assistance to Oklahoma’s poorest families were filed this session. This page provides information and analysis on the policy implications of these bills. Read more. [More...]

Let them eat judgment: Legislation targets the poor

By: Kate Richey
February 27, 2013 // Updated: May 2, 2019
[Click here for our permanent page tracking safety net legislation] [Click here for a list of active bills and their status (updated 3/19/13)] A number of bills targeting safety net assistance to Oklahoma’s poorest families were filed this session.  Some… Read more [More...]

Home visiting programs work for young children, their parents and Oklahoma (Guest Blog: Paul Shinn)

By: Guest
February 25, 2013 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Paul Shinn is Public Policy Analyst for CAP Tulsa, which helps families succeed through early childhood education and other support programs. He can be reached at pshinn@captc.org Earlier this month a House committee passed HB 1063, which would suspend most… Read more [More...]

[Closing The Gap, Part 2] Foundations of the wealth gap

By: Kate Richey
February 11, 2013 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Some core assets are best described as foundational:  health, education, and transportation are critical to our ability to achieve and maintain financial security throughout our lifetime.  Health, education, and transportation position us to obtain employment, generate enough income to make… Read more [More...]

Guest Blog (Camille Landry): Stayin’ alive

By: Camille Landry
February 6, 2013 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Camille Landry is a writer, activist, and advocate for social justice who lives in Oklahoma City. This is the first in a series, “Neglected Oklahoma”, focused on Oklahomans who find themselves in a position where the basic necessities of life… Read more [More...]

Could we run out of water?

By: Amanda Marcott Thottunkal
January 29, 2013 // Updated: May 2, 2019
This post is by OK Policy intern Amanda Marcott Thottunkal. Amanda is pursuing a Masters in Public Administration at the University of Oklahoma. Oklahoma City drinking water supplies are at record lows, and NewsOK recently reported that water rights could… Read more [More...]