Articles
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Budget & Tax
Volatile revenue sources make budgeting difficult
Relying on volatile tax sources makes it difficult to predict how much revenue state government will receive. This makes the budgeting process more difficult than it already is. Oklahoma should be wary of increasing its reliance on volatile taxes like the corporate income tax and the gross production tax.Curtis Shelton | November 9, 2018
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Good Government
Voting for responsible government
Oklahoma voters had a clear choice in the election for governor.Jonathan Small | November 9, 2018
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Budget & Tax, Health Care
As TSET endowment grows, so do questions about spending
The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) preliminarily certified $64.8 million for fiscal year 2018. These earnings come from the $1.2 billion endowment for TSET. As the endowment has grown, the scope of the trust has expanded from tobacco-related programs to some questionable areas.Curtis Shelton | November 7, 2018
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Budget & Tax
A look at the October 2018 economic report
The Oklahoma State Treasurer released the monthly report for October revenue collections. Total Gross Receipts collected in October were $1,138.5 million—up 16.1 percent, or $158.3 million, from the same month last year.Curtis Shelton | November 7, 2018
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Health Care
Charting Oklahoma Medicaid growth over the past 20 years
In 2017, more than 1 million Oklahomans were on SoonerCare, Oklahoma’s Medicaid program. Over the last 20 years, the state’s annual cost of the medical welfare program has increased from $536 million to more than $2.3 billion.Kaitlyn Finley | November 5, 2018
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Health Care
New Medicaid audits save taxpayers $250 million in Massachusetts
According to a new report issued by the Pioneer Institute, Massachusetts saved $250 million on administrative costs for their Medicaid program, MassHealth, by utilizing new automation methods in their audit process.Kaitlyn Finley | November 5, 2018
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Health Care
President Trump scales back Obamacare regulations, expanding health insurance choices
Recently, the Trump administration issued new regulatory guidelines regarding the use of Obamacare’s state innovation waivers. This new guidance allows Oklahoma more flexibility to potentially offer more types of health insurance plans that could increase choice and lower premiums for individuals and small businesses.Kaitlyn Finley | November 2, 2018
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Criminal Justice
Throw away the key?
Oklahoma is the most locked-up state in the country. More of our fellow residents are in prison or jail, as a share of our population, than in any other state.Jonathan Small | November 2, 2018
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Good Government
Oklahoma police and fire pensions prevent double dipping
Oklahoma’s two uniformed service pension systems make it almost impossible for retirees to double dip within their chosen occupations.Jonathan Small & Mike Brake | November 1, 2018
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Budget & Tax, Health Care
Who’s like whom?
There’s been a lot of talk lately about which of the gubernatorial candidates is most like the current governor. Let’s look at it.Jonathan Small | October 26, 2018