Articles
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Budget & Tax
New Oklahoma data show rising school revenue—and a soaring cash pile
New data show Oklahoma public schools have far more money today than they did 15 years ago. Adjusted for inflation, per-pupil funding rose from $12,598 to $13,751. At the same time, districts have dramatically increased their unspent cash reserves.Curtis Shelton | January 30, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Good Government
Welfare fraud is baked in. Here’s what Gov. Stitt’s review should tackle
National scandals have exposed how welfare programs are built on incentives that reward signing up more recipients and pushing out more money, while offering almost no accountability for fraud. Gov. Kevin Stitt has ordered a review of Oklahoma’s welfare system. Here are some ideas.Trent England | January 29, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Education
Stitt launches school choice hub, opts Oklahoma into new federal tax credit
Gov. Kevin Stitt marked National School Choice Week by ordering the creation of an Oklahoma School Choice Hub—an online, parent-friendly resource launching within 90 days—and announcing that Oklahoma will join a new federal tax-credit program that funds private-school scholarships.Ray Carter | January 27, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Good Government
Minnesota’s fraud crisis should prompt Oklahoma lawmakers to act
Massive welfare fraud scandals in Minnesota have drawn national outrage—and Oklahoma shouldn’t kid itself that similar problems aren’t happening here.Jonathan Small | January 21, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Oklahoma House Speaker: No taxpayer benefits for illegals
Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert has introduced two bills aimed at ensuring that taxpayer-funded assistance programs—from SNAP and TANF to Medicaid and WIC—are provided only to individuals who are lawfully present in the United States.Ray Carter | January 16, 2026
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma income-tax phaseout kicks in
Oklahoma’s income-tax phaseout plan took its first step on January 1, reducing the number of brackets from six to three and trimming each by a quarter point, lowering the top rate from 4.75% to 4.5%. The cuts come as state revenues remain stable with modest growth.Curtis Shelton | January 13, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Education
Oklahoma school spending and staffing up, but ACT scores fall
Oklahoma’s public schools are spending more than ever and hiring faster than enrollment grows, yet ACT scores have dropped to a new low.Ray Carter | January 6, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Education
Lawmakers seek to address Oklahoma’s reading crisis
After a decade of steep declines in student reading performance, two Oklahoma lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at restoring literacy as a core focus of K-12 education.Ray Carter | December 19, 2025
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma state agencies go big with Christmas wish list
Oklahoma state agencies have unveiled their latest holiday wish lists, asking lawmakers for an extra $1.74 billion in funding—double last year’s request. The appeal comes after years of steep spending growth, with appropriations rising $4.7 billion since Gov. Kevin Stitt took office. Higher education is seeking the largest boost at $426 million, while the Space Port Authority again asks for the biggest percentage increase: 2,067%.Curtis Shelton | December 15, 2025
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Oklahoma’s food-stamp numbers spark questions about fraud
Oklahoma’s food-stamp participation rate is nearly 50 percent higher than its poverty rate—a gap wider than almost any other state—raising questions about potential fraud or lax eligibility enforcement. Oklahoma’s political leaders must ensure that benefits reach only those who truly qualify.Jonathan Small | November 17, 2025