Articles
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Budget & Tax
Legislative leaders reach budget agreement
The leaders of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and state Senate announced Monday they have reached a budget agreement.Ray Carter | May 4, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Education
How will schools spend federal COVID funds? No one knows
Oklahoma’s public K-12 schools will receive nearly $161 million through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. But officials appear to have little idea how the money will be spent beyond extremely broad categories that could include a multitude of expenses.Ray Carter | April 23, 2020
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Budget & Tax
State-tribal impasse breaks; new casino compacts signed
In what he called an “historic day,” Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed new state-tribal casino gaming agreements with the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and the Comanche Nation.Ray Carter | April 22, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Amid state budget crunch, shift to virtual learning should save millions
On March 25 the Oklahoma State Board of Education voted to close all public schools, and students and teachers began preparing for online learning. These closures provide an opportunity for cost savings while the lights are off.Curtis Shelton | April 21, 2020
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Budget & Tax
No rapid recovery expected for Oklahoma’s economy
Employment in Oklahoma is not expected to rebound to pre-coronavirus levels for two years, and state tax collections are falling to 2016 levels. In response, Gov. Kevin Stitt called on lawmakers to tap state savings and to reduce spending to “smooth out” financial challenges over the next few years.Ray Carter | April 21, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Democrats oppose any reduction in state spending
The shutdowns caused by the government’s COVID-19 response have devastated business and family budgets across Oklahoma, forcing many working families to make hard financial choices.Ray Carter | April 20, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Education
Online shift may save school funds, but numbers remain elusive
Now that all Oklahoma public schools have shifted to distance learning, potentially significant savings could be achieved for many previously routine expenses. But state officials do not have that data and existing law may indirectly encourage school officials to spend those savings before July.Ray Carter | April 17, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Economy, Culture & the Family
OCPA calls for CARES Act flexibility
OCPA president Jonathan Small, along with the leaders of several other think tanks from around the country, has signed a letter to federal legislative leaders calling for flexibility in the use of the CARES Act relief dollars.Curtis Shelton | April 16, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Stitt calls for spending cuts, restraint
Gov. Kevin Stitt is calling for modest cuts to state government spending in response to the current budget shortfall. That apparently puts him at odds with the Republican-controlled Legislature, which voted this week to preserve current spending levels by tapping state savings.Ray Carter | April 7, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Lawmakers advance budget bills despite governor’s objection
Members of the Oklahoma Legislature have sent three bills to the governor to address a shortfall in the current state budget, even though an apparent dispute with the governor led to the cancellation of a meeting of the committee that officially certifies shortfalls.Ray Carter | April 7, 2020