Articles
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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 Some of the dollars are lost through outdated systems and auditing practices by the state, others through blatant fraudulent and criminal behavior.Tom Newell | January 23, 2018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
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Budget & Tax
Film rebate payments since 2010
Since 2010, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office has given $20,282,491.09 through its Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program.Curtis Shelton | January 17, 2018
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Education
Teachers cite dues, ideology for OEA membership slide
The Oklahoma Education Association (OEA), the state’s largest teachers union, lost 5.7 percent of its active members last year and has lost nearly 20 percent over the last 5 years, according to National Education Association (NEA) financial reports compiled by labor union researcher Mike Antonucci.Jay Chilton | January 16, 2018
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Education
Poll shows more than OEA will tell
Does a new poll commissioned by Oklahoma’s largest teachers union show that Oklahomans want their taxes raised? From the press release, op-ed, and media coverage, you might think so. Except that the poll itself says just about the opposite.Trent England | January 15, 2018
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Budget & Tax
State revenues up. Again.
The latest press release from the Oklahoma Treasurer shows another month of revenue growth. With this past December exceeding the collections from December 2016, it marks the eighth straight month of year-over-year increases in revenue collections.Curtis Shelton | January 12, 2018