Articles
-
Economy
Hern launches policy institute to expand opportunities for future generations
U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Tulsa, who rose from poverty to become a highly successful businessman before entering Congress, is launching the Hern Policy Institute to help future generations access the same opportunities he enjoyed.Ray Carter | January 22, 2026
-
Law & Principles, Economy
Study warns minimum-wage hike would cost Oklahoma 16,000 jobs, hit small businesses hardest
New research from the National Federation of Independent Business finds that the minimum wage increase proposed in State Question 832 would significantly damage Oklahoma’s economy, costing an estimated 16,112 jobs over 10 years—nearly 9,700 of them at small businesses—and reducing economic output by $697 million.Curtis Shelton | January 15, 2026
-
Economy
Oklahoma continues to attract movers
A new U-Haul Growth Index report shows Oklahoma remains one of the nation’s most popular destinations for movers, ranking 14th in net inbound traffic. According to U-Haul, blue-to-red state migration “continues to be a discernible trend.”Ray Carter | January 8, 2026
-
Law & Principles, Economy
Montana’s inflation-indexed minimum wage squeezes small businesses
Since tying its minimum wage to inflation in 2007, Montana has seen higher business failure rates, weaker startup survival, and a sharp drop in labor-force participation among young workers. Oklahoma risks repeating that pattern if voters approve SQ 832.Curtis Shelton | January 7, 2026
-
Economy
Minimum-wage hikes don’t magically cut evictions—they shift who gets hurt
Some people claim that minimum-wage increases reduce evictions, but the evidence behind that claim is thin and ignores basic supply-and-demand realities.Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. | December 8, 2025
-
Economy
Inflation-indexed minimum wages: Washington’s cautionary tale
Over the past 25 years, Washington state raised its minimum wage by 150 percent and, in 2021, locked in automatic annual hikes—just like those proposed under Oklahoma’s State Question 832. The results have been predictable.Curtis Shelton | November 24, 2025
-
Economy
Market wages are already rising; SQ 832 would cause real harm
Although Oklahoma’s statutory minimum wage has been $7.25 since 2009, the true starting wage in the real labor market is already higher. After all, employers must pay what attracts workers—not what a law dictates. State Question 832 would force wages to skyrocket far beyond what local businesses can sustain.Jonathan Small | November 24, 2025
-
Economy
Oregon’s inflation-tied minimum wage offers Oklahoma a warning
Oklahoma voters weighing a minimum wage hike tied to the cost of living should take a close look at Oregon, where a similar policy is in effect. Since 2000, Oregon’s minimum wage has climbed from $6.50 to $15.95, while the labor-force participation has dropped.Curtis Shelton | November 5, 2025
-
Economy, Culture & the Family
SQ 832: A recipe for greater inequality and generational hopelessness
Oklahoma's State Question 832, which would mandate automatic minimum-wage increases by linking Oklahoma to a national index, is touted as a tool to reduce income inequality and support families. In reality, it would do the opposite.Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. | October 30, 2025
-
Economy
Experts: ‘Living wage’ means fewer jobs, less money for workers
At a recent legislative study, experts told Oklahoma state lawmakers that linking the state’s minimum wage to the cost of living in expensive cities like New York or San Francisco—a proposal known as State Question 832—would harm small businesses, shrink job opportunities, and ultimately reduce workers’ take-home pay.Ray Carter | October 24, 2025