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What’s up this week at Oklahoma Policy Institute? The Weekly Wonk shares our most recent publications and other resources to help you stay informed about Oklahoma. Numbers of the Day and Policy Notes are from our daily news briefing, In The Know. Click here to subscribe to In The Know.
This Week from OK Policy
Policy Matters: Not-so-happy anniversary to the minimum wage: Wednesday marked the 15th anniversary of the last time the federal minimum wage was raised to its current level of $7.25 per hour. Political gridlock has kept the minimum wage frozen, despite the rising cost of living. Hundreds of thousands of Oklahoma workers, most of them over age 20, would benefit from a minimum wage increase. By voting for State Question 832, Oklahoma voters can ensure a much-needed raise for the state’s low-wage workers, helping them better support themselves and their families. [Shiloh Kantz / Journal Record]
What you need to know about the minimum wage in Oklahoma: Raising the minimum wage is one of the policy solutions that can improve Oklahoma’s economy, strengthen our quality of life, and reduce poverty in our communities. [OK Policy]
SQ 832: Minimum Wage Increase: To help voters become better informed about SQ 832 that would increase the state’s minimum wage, OK Policy has published an information and resource center. [Gabriela Ramirez-Perez / OK Policy]
Upcoming Opportunities
Together OK Summer Listening Sessions: Together Oklahoma will host summer listening sessions in towns and cities across the state, which will offer the opportunity for you to express your ideas and views on policy matters in a collaborative way and let our TOK staff members get the chance to hear directly from you. Participants will be compensated for their time. [Learn More]
This Week:
- July 30 – ADA
- Pontotoc County Agri-Plex and Convention Center • 1710 N Broadway Ave, Ada, OK 74820
- August 1 – LAWTON
- Cameron University • McMahon Centennial Complex • 501 SW University Dr, Lawton, OK 73505
Weekly What’s That
Federal Poverty Level
The federal poverty level (FPL) is a measure of income issued annually by the Department of Health and Human Services that is used to determine eligibility for various public programs and benefits, including Medicaid, health insurance premium tax credits, the free- and reduced- school lunch program, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and many others.
The federal poverty level, which takes into account family size, is $14,580 for a single individual and $30,000 for a family of four in 2023. There are separate, higher levels for residents of Alaska and Hawaii.
The federal poverty level was first established in 1965 and was set at three times the cost of a basic food plan. The level is adjusted annually for inflation. It is widely accepted that the federal poverty level does not accurately reflect the amount of income needed to meet one’s basic needs. An alternative measure, the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), that is developed and reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, is intended to provide a more thorough and accurate assessment of how much income a household needs to get by.
Look up more key terms to understand Oklahoma politics and government here.
Quote of the Week
“People tend to lose everything they own, including their jobs, and their cars, in addition to becoming homeless (when they get evicted). It also exacerbates the problem we’re having with chronic absenteeism.”
– Eric Hallett, the Coordinator of Housing Advocacy for Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, speaking about the rippling impacts of evictions. [KTUL]
Op-Ed of the Week
Opinion: Reclaim your power by voting in local elections
In recent years, national politics has captured our collective attention and regularly casts a large shadow over important local elections. However, as a community, we must recognize that the decisions made at the city and state levels have a direct and often immediate impact on our daily lives.
Local elections determine who will oversee the quality of our schools, the safety of our neighborhoods and the efficiency of our public services. These are not abstract concerns but immediate and tangible issues that impact the well-being of every Tulsa resident. Despite this, voter turnout in local elections remains disappointingly low, and it seems to be due in part to a broader trend of political apathy that we must address.
As a Tulsan and your representative in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, I have witnessed firsthand the consequences of disengagement from local politics. So let’s be clear: When we do not participate, we surrender our control to a few, often allowing decisions to be made by those who may not prioritize our community’s needs.
It is this spirit of engagement that we must rekindle to ensure a better and inclusive future for all.
Engaging in local elections is not just about casting a vote; it is about taking an active role in shaping the future of our community. It means attending town hall meetings, participating in community discussions and holding our elected officials accountable. It is through these actions that we can address the unique challenges facing Tulsa, from education and healthcare to economic development and affordable housing.
Moreover, local elections offer a unique opportunity to bring about meaningful change. Unlike the often gridlocked and polarized politics in Washington D.C., local politics can be more responsive and adaptive to our needs. By electing leaders who are truly committed to serving their communities, we can enact policies that reflect our values and priorities.
I urge you to embrace the power of your vote and the influence you hold in local elections. Do not trade away local control for national political apathy.
Together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant Tulsa, where every voice is heard, and every resident has the opportunity to thrive. Let us reclaim our power and ensure that the future of Tulsa is bright and inclusive. Stay informed, stay involved and vote like the decisions impact your life because they do. [Rep. Amanda Swope / Tulsa World]
Numbers of the Day
- 31% – Percentage of Oklahoma workers earning less than $17 an hour, which is the nation’s second-highest rate behind only Mississippi. Oklahoma has a higher percentage of workers earning less than $17 per hour compared to the national average in every demographic category of race, age, gender, and family composition. [Oxfam] | [Oklahoma’s Scorecard]
- 52 – The number of cents generated in tax revenue for every tax dollar spent on Oklahoma tax credits for the film industry from 2017-2020, according to a report from the state’s Incentive Evaluation Commission. [OK Policy]
- 46% – The percentage increase of inflation since July 2009, the last time the federal minimum wage was adjusted to its current rate of $7.25 per hour. [U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics]
What We’re Reading
- The Crisis of Low Wages: Who earns less than $17 an hour in the U.S. in 2024?: According to new data from Oxfam, there are more than 39 million low wage workers in the United States, defined here as any worker earning less than $17 an hour. This translates to 23 percent of the US workforce, or nearly one in four workers in the US. This new research includes a full demographic picture of low wage workers including race, gender, intersecting race and gender, age, parental status, and tipped wage worker status. Our findings demonstrate that women and communities of color, especially Black and Latin or Hispanic workers, are most impacted by low wages and stagnating minimum wage policies. [Oxfam] | [Oklahoma’s Scorecard] | [Interactive Map]
- The Payoff of State Film Tax Credits: Audits in a number of states have found that tax incentive programs for film and TV end up as money losers. Although some states are considering capping their programs, more are expanding theirs. [Governing]
- A history of the federal minimum wage (2023): The minimum wage is a New Deal era policy established initially through the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA). The original bill set a wage floor, instituted a 44-hour work week, and protected children from prematurely entering the workforce. Since its inception, the FLSA has been amended multiple times, with added exemptions and expansions specifying which groups of workers are covered under different aspects of the law. [Economic Policy Institute]
