Articles
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Budget & Tax, Economy
State unemployment fund drained by pandemic
An unprecedented surge in unemployment claims caused by this year’s COVID-19 shutdown, combined with major fraud, has drained Oklahoma’s unemployment insurance trust fund and requires an increase in associated taxes on employers.Ray Carter | October 21, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Education
Deer Creek revenues, enrollment growing
Officials in many school districts continue to insist that funding is inadequate. So let's take a look at the available revenues in selected Oklahoma districts.Curtis Shelton | October 20, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Education
Department of Education budget request unrealistic
The Oklahoma State Board of Education recently released its fiscal year 2022 budget request and is asking for an increase of $191 million over the current level.Curtis Shelton | October 15, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Education
For-profit companies receive public school money
Earlier this week, state Superintendent Joy Hofmeister heaped praise on a private-sector product that is helping to keep Oklahoma students safe.Curtis Shelton | October 9, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Economy
Continued oil slump threatens state finances
A new report from State Treasurer Randy McDaniel indicates the economic impacts of the COVID-19 shutdown are receding in Oklahoma, but state finances remain on shaky ground because of the continuing weakness of the oil-and-gas sector, a foundational element of the Oklahoma economy.Ray Carter | October 7, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Education
Irregularities in state audit of EPIC?
A recently released special investigative audit of EPIC Charter Schools, an online K-12 provider, may be receiving as much attention for perceived and alleged irregularities in the audit process as for its findings.Ray Carter | October 5, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Education
How much does the Oklahoma State Department of Education spend?
The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) is one of the state’s largest agencies in terms of appropriations and total spending. In 2020 the OSDE received $3.07 billion of the state’s $8.2 billion in state appropriations, a 5.4 percent increase from 2019.Curtis Shelton | September 29, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Economy
Oklahoma lawmakers oppose federal bailout of states
Twenty-three Oklahoma state legislators have joined colleagues from across the country to oppose additional federal bailouts for state governments.Ray Carter | September 14, 2020
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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