Articles
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Education
More options needed for state employees, education employees, other government employees, and taxpayers
State revenues have declined because of Oklahoma’s struggling economy. Lawmakers should look for innovative reforms that allow for government services to be provided at a lower cost.Jonathan Small | February 14, 2017
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma's Budget Process
How the state government spends its money is a concern for most Oklahomans. Where that money goes tells citizens about the priorities of our politicians.Curtis Shelton | February 14, 2017
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Budget & Tax
Never Enough Revenue
What does government cost? Often the only real answer is, whatever politicians can convince us it costs.Trent England | February 2, 2017
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Agriculture
For Many Oklahoma Farmers, Trade Is a Big Deal
For U.S. agriculture, trade is a big deal. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) data show that the U.S. exports about 20 percent of all agricultural output both in terms of volume and in terms of dollars.Jayson Lusk | February 1, 2017
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Criminal Justice
Oklahoma’s Prison Crisis: The Enormous Cost of Doing Nothing
Oklahoma’s prisons are in a state of emergency—fiscally and literally. Oklahoma’s prison population is projected to grow by 25 percent over the next decade, at a cost of nearly $2 billion to taxpayers.Jonathan Small & Trent England | February 1, 2017
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Education
Non-Teaching Staff Surge Prevented Oklahoma Teacher Pay Raises
Oklahoma's Education Department increase in “all other staff” (folks who are not lead teachers) has increased 36 percent. That’s more than twice as fast as the increase in students.Benjamin Scafidi | February 1, 2017
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Education
School Choice Programs Save Taxpayers Money
Tax-credit scholarship programs have saved taxpayers at least $1.7 billion since their inception.Martin F. Lueken | February 1, 2017
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Education
Don’t Means-Test School Choice
Limiting school choice programs to low-income households is bad for low-income households - the people it hurts the most are the people who most need better schools.Greg Forster, Ph.D. | February 1, 2017
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Budget & Tax
No, the Sky Is Not Falling in Kansas
If you’ve read anything lately from liberal think tanks or journalists about tax reform in Kansas, you may think there has been a “failed Kansas experiment.” The facts tell a different storySteve Anderson | February 1, 2017
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Budget & Tax
Kansas Tax Reforms Having Positive Economic Impact
While budget deficits did occur in Kansas following the tax reform, state government spending contributed critically to the deficits. Simply put, Kansas cut revenue while simultaneously increasing expenditures.William Boyes & Stephen Slivinski | February 1, 2017