Paid Family and Medical Leave is a crucial step towards modernizing our economy

Despite its benefits, access to paid family leave is not widespread, especially for lower-wage families. To improve Oklahomans’ health and increase the labor force, the Oklahoma Legislature should guarantee paid family leave benefits to our state’s workers. [More...]

New OK Policy report shows intricate, fragile interconnectedness of public assistance programs for Oklahomans in need

A new report from the Oklahoma Policy Institute — entitled “Plateaus and Cliff Effects in Oklahoma” —  is among the first of its kind to examine how public supports and income interact to impact low-income Oklahomans. [More...]

SQ 802 will dramatically improve financial well-being in Oklahoma

On June 30, Oklahomans will decide State Question 802 that would add Medicaid expansion to the Oklahoma Constitution. Arguments in favor of SQ 802 have rightly been centered around its well-documented health effects. Expansion, after all, will reduce the number… Read more [More...]

During this economic crisis we want people to work. Let’s give them the tools to do it.

In the midst of crisis, Oklahoma can and should better equip returning citizens to succeed. An accessible path from prison to employment can help those with felony convictions find high-wage employment immediately following incarceration. [More...]

Unemployment insurance keeps Oklahomans safe, supports the economy

Unemployment insurance will be a critical piece of our ability to weather and recover from this economic and public health emergency. It is in everyone’s best interest for the system to be robust and accessible to all who need it.  [More...]

The Federal Government has taken significant action to shore up the unemployment insurance program — and there’s more Oklahoma can do.

Oklahoma could maximize the benefit of this relief package in the CARES Act by reestablishing our work share program to better help workers who still have jobs, but with reduced hours. [More...]

Workers need Paid Family and Medical Leave all the time, not just during a public health emergency

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, adopted last week by the federal government, includes a limited paid family and medical leave benefit, but it will be inadequate for many families during this emergency. [More...]

The cost of denying paid sick leave

Businesses benefit when workers have time to care for their health. All Oklahomans need paid sick leave, and not just during a public health crisis. [More...]

Oklahoma must take action to help workers who will be hurt by the pandemic

There are actions the state can take to soften the negative economic effects of the pandemic in Oklahoma. And they must start with expanding access to unemployment insurance. [More...]

Protecting employees during uncertain times

During the past few days, nearly all public and private organizations have had scramble and adapt in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. OK Policy’s leadership team met last week and made the determination that we needed to take action to help protect our staff’s health, as well as to minimize community spreading of the COVID-19 virus. [More...]