Articles
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Budget & Tax, Education
Parental demand may change school-choice landscape
Schools that are currently refusing to provide in-person instruction are drawing fierce backlash from parents across Oklahoma. One legislative leader on education issues says that parental activism may be changing the political landscape for school-choice issues.Ray Carter | September 10, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma increases transportation ranking without massive spending hikes
In 2004, Oklahoma had 1,168 structurally deficient bridges and ranked 49th in a federal report on bridge upkeep. Fifteen years later, the state has made a monumental jump to 9th with only 86 bridges now reported structurally deficient.Curtis Shelton | September 4, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma voters continue ousting tax-increasing incumbents
This week’s primary runoff elections saw voters oust several incumbent lawmakers who voted for one of the largest tax increases in Oklahoma history.Ray Carter | August 26, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Rolling back pension progress is unhealthy
Every pension plan should have a goal of becoming fully funded, with assets equal to 100 percent of pension obligations.Curtis Shelton | August 22, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Appropriation-estimate process to face scrutiny
A state board that establishes how much money lawmakers can appropriate each year will be an initial target of investigation for the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT).Ray Carter | August 13, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Revenue collections fall, but still exceed 2018 levels
June 30, 2020, marked the end of fiscal year 2020. Data from the Office of the State Treasurer show that the last few tumultuous months severely impacted revenue collections for the state.Curtis Shelton | August 10, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Stitt opposes additional federal bailouts for states
Members of Congress are currently debating whether to provide another round of federal bailout money to state governments in response to the COVID-19 recession.Ray Carter | August 6, 2020
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Budget & Tax
McGirt decision could upend regulations, taxes
A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that reestablished Indian reservations in Oklahoma is creating broad uncertainty and threatens to result in regulatory chaos that will drive businesses away from the state, according to state leaders.Ray Carter | August 6, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Tax collections raise concern about budget gamble
The Republican-controlled Legislature wanted to drain most state government savings and leave little in reserve for next year, while Gov. Kevin Stitt called for reining in spending to preserve greater savings for next year.Ray Carter | August 5, 2020
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Budget & Tax
OCPA comment on compact ruling
Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, issued the following statement today in response to a judge’s declaration that a little-known, unelected state agency triggered auto-renewal of casino gaming compacts for another 15 years.Staff | July 28, 2020