Articles
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Budget & Tax, Education
Watchdog report: No shortage of funds in Oklahoma schools
Funding for Oklahoma public schools surged more in the last five years than in the prior 25 years. So far, there is little indication that this massive spending binge has generated any notable improvement in academic outcomes.Ray Carter | June 26, 2024
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Budget & Tax
A look at Oklahoma DHS spending
Continuing his series on Oklahoma’s 10 largest state agencies, Curtis Shelton looks at funding growth at the Department of Human Services.Curtis Shelton | June 26, 2024
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Budget & Tax
Arkansas cuts income tax rates (again)
While Oklahoma chose massive government-spending hikes in 2024, Arkansas cut its income-tax rate from 4.4 percent to 3.9 percent.Curtis Shelton | June 20, 2024
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Budget & Tax
A look at transportation spending
Continuing his blog series on Oklahoma’s 10 largest state agencies, today Curtis Shelton looks at spending growth at the Department of Transportation.Curtis Shelton | June 19, 2024
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Budget & Tax
A look at tuition rates at OU, OSU, and UCO
Tuition and fees at OU, OSU, and UCO have been steadily increasing even as state appropriations increased.Curtis Shelton | June 18, 2024
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Budget & Tax, Higher Education
A look at higher-education spending
Government spending in Oklahoma continues to grow, including in the area of higher education.Curtis Shelton | June 13, 2024
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Budget & Tax
As tax cuts stall in Oklahoma, Arkansas moving ahead
In 2024 the Oklahoma Senate prioritized spending increases over income-tax reduction. Meanwhile, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is calling for a special session to reduce that state’s top personal income-tax rate to 3.9 percent.Ray Carter | June 13, 2024
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Budget & Tax
Pension benefits not a reliable way to attract, retain employees
SB 102 puts Oklahoma taxpayers and pension recipients at risk by creating $90 million in unfunded liabilities. It is unclear what recurring revenue lawmakers will use to pay for these liabilities.Curtis Shelton | May 29, 2024
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Budget & Tax
Stitt veto protects pensioners, taxpayers
SB 102, recently vetoed by the governor, was another attempt to chip away at past reforms that have helped put Oklahoma public pension systems in a fiscally responsible position.Curtis Shelton | May 23, 2024
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Budget & Tax
Tribes seek share of turnpike revenue
Many tribal car tags are effectively unregistered with the state of Oklahoma, but a tribal official says tribes are willing to end that problem—if the state agrees to divert millions of dollars in turnpike revenue to tribal governments.Ray Carter | May 22, 2024