Articles
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Health Care
To help needy Oklahomans, implement Medicaid audits
Annually, billions of dollars are lost—and stolen—from taxpayers and the truly needy through spending on ineligible Medicaid recipients. Some of the dollars are lost through outdated systems and auditing practices by the state, others through blatant fraudulent and criminal behavior.Tom Newell | January 29, 2018
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Law & Principles
Know the facts on SQ 640
Some Oklahoma lawmakers are looking to wage war against SQ 640, claiming it confines government by making any revenue-raising measures impossible to pass. But that’s not true.Jonathan Small | January 29, 2018
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Budget & Tax
Reform the budgeting process
Oklahoma needs greater transparency, an all-funds budget, and a streamlined revenue-estimation process.Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. | January 29, 2018
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Budget & Tax
Building a state
In 2018 much of the focus in the state Capitol building will be on building a budget. But in this issue of Perspective, we urge policymakers to remember the larger imperative: building a state.Jonathan Small & Larry Parman | January 29, 2018
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Budget & Tax
Foolish Hollywood handouts
Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein may face criminal charges from Los Angles to London. If he does, he can pay part of his legal bills with money from Oklahoma taxpayers.Jonathan Small | January 26, 2018
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Budget & Tax
Tax Foundation critiques ‘Step Up Oklahoma’ tax plan
The Tax Foundation, a well-known nonprofit that studies fiscal policy across the United States, has issued a critical analysis of the combination of tax changes and tax increases advanced over the past two weeks by Step Up Oklahoma.Patrick B. McGuigan | January 24, 2018
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Health Care
To help needy Oklahomans, implement Medicaid audits
Annually, billions of dollars are lost—and stolen—from taxpayers and the truly needy through spending on ineligible Medicaid recipients. Some of the dollars are lost through outdated systems and auditing practices by the state, others through blatant fraudulent and criminal behavior.Tom Newell | January 23, 2018
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Budget & Tax
State spending grew faster than inflation or population growth
In one generation, total state spending in Oklahoma has increased by $7.2 billion even when adjusted for inflation. This 70% increase shows the size and scope of government growing at an unsustainable rate. Over the same period, Oklahoma’s population grew by just 24%.Curtis Shelton | January 22, 2018
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Health Care
Celebrate Medicaid diversity
Is diversity a good thing? Last week, the Trump administration embraced diversity in how states run medical welfare programs.Jonathan Small | January 19, 2018
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Budget & Tax
A look at the 2017 CAFR
A look at the new spending totals for FY 2017 shows total state spending was $17.64 billion, down from $18.37 billion in the prior fiscal year (adjusted for inflation).Curtis Shelton | January 18, 2018