Articles
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Budget & Tax
Bergstrom seeks gradual Oklahoma income-tax repeal
Under legislation filed by state Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, Oklahoma’s personal income tax would be put on a path to full repeal through periodic tax cuts tied to revenue growth.Ray Carter | December 7, 2023
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Budget & Tax, Education
Purchasing power has declined
In the face of surging inflation and rising expenses in the state, private schools will likely raise tuition to cope with escalating costs and to compete with the rising salaries in public schools.Curtis Shelton | November 14, 2023
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Budget & Tax, Education
Oklahoma teacher salaries have risen dramatically
The average teacher salary in Oklahoma has dramatically increased with a significant portion of the raise attributed to an additional $250 million allocated during the 2023 legislative session.Curtis Shelton | November 10, 2023
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Budget & Tax, Health Care, Law & Principles, Culture & the Family
Oklahoma won’t promote abortion, so Biden administration yanks funds
Attempting to force Oklahoma officials to promote abortion, the Biden administration has stripped the state of several million dollars in federal funds that normally pay for pregnancy tests, cancer screenings, depression screenings, and various other services.Ray Carter | November 7, 2023
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Budget & Tax, Education
Government spending hikes put pressure on private schools
Public-school teacher salaries, already higher than those of their private-school counterparts, have increased by $8,000 in Oklahoma since 2018. Can private schools keep pace?Curtis Shelton | November 6, 2023
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Budget & Tax
‘Game-changing’ spending hikes propel education funding to record levels
The Oklahoma Legislature and Governor Kevin Stitt have significantly increased funding for education in the state since 2018, with substantial investments in public education.Curtis Shelton | November 2, 2023
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Budget & Tax, Higher Education
Let’s prioritize Oklahoma workforce needs
The rot in Oklahoma’s higher-education system is widespread. It’s time for state lawmakers and Gov. Kevin Stitt to redirect funding to more productive uses.Brandon Dutcher | October 26, 2023
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Budget & Tax
Republican senators back Stitt on tax cuts
A growing number of Republican senators are now publicly voicing their disagreement with the decision to adjourn the special session to take up tax cuts and backing Gov. Kevin Stitt’s call to cut taxes for Oklahomans.Ray Carter | October 9, 2023
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Budget & Tax
Tax hikes don’t explain revenue growth
Gov. Stitt & House Speaker McCall credit tax cuts for Oklahoma's revenue growth, while some senators argue revenue growth stems from 2017/2018 tax hikes, not 2021 cuts.Ray Carter | October 5, 2023
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Budget & Tax
Quarter-point income-tax cut is very doable
Both the empirical research and Oklahoma’s own experience suggest that beneficial effects of a tax cut should be expected.Curtis Shelton | October 4, 2023