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In terms of sheer economic size, there is no more important neighbor to Oklahoma than Texas. So it is a very useful exercise to compare and contrast the two states to see what Oklahoma policymakers can learn. Of course, it is well known that, unlike Oklahoma, Texas does not levy a broad-based individual or corporate income tax (though Texas does levy a gross receipts tax on certain industries). Has the absence of an income tax made a difference in the course of the Texas economy? The answer is a resounding yes.

Personal income is an important economic measure of a state’s well-being. Higher levels of personal income mean that a state’s residents are able to purchase more goods and services such as homes, cars, education, and health care. Fundamentally, personal income comes from two sources: the private sector and the public sector. The distinction between these two sectors is important because only the private sector creates new income. The public sector can only redistribute income through taxes and spending.

When it comes to government spending in Oklahoma, the 800-pound gorilla in the room that many people ignore is this simple question: Should government grow faster than the private sector’s ability to pay?

Oklahoma’s higher education system employs far too many non-instructional workers relative to the national average. This bloated workforce drives up the cost of higher education, and a significant share of these costs falls on the shoulders of Oklahoma’s taxpayers.

Some Oklahomans are talking about centralizing the education system even further by providing additional financing through an increased sales tax. This is a bad idea for several reasons.

Students across Oklahoma have returned to college campuses, and many are feeling the pinch from higher tuition costs. Higher education officials often blame tuition hikes on reduced state appropriations, but could there be other factors in play?

Oklahoma’s shortage of public school teachers has been much in the news lately. Those in the education establishment say that solving the problem will require increased funding and greater teacher satisfaction (by limiting class sizes, for example).

Oklahoma’s shortage of public school teachers has been much in the news lately. Those in the education establishment say that solving the problem will require increased funding and greater teacher satisfaction (by limiting class sizes, for example).

Given that children are the key to a prosperous economy, what lessons should our political leaders always keep in mind when crafting public policy? Allow me to suggest three.