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In one generation, total state spending in Oklahoma has increased by $7.2 billion even when adjusted for inflation. This 70% increase shows the size and scope of government growing at an unsustainable rate. Over the same period, Oklahoma’s population grew by just 24%.

A look at the new spending totals for FY 2017 shows total state spending was $17.64 billion, down from $18.37 billion in the prior fiscal year (adjusted for inflation).

Since 2010, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office has given $20,282,491.09 through its Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program.

The latest press release from the Oklahoma Treasurer shows another month of revenue growth. With this past December exceeding the collections from December 2016, it marks the eighth straight month of year-over-year increases in revenue collections.

Oklahomans know they’re not getting a good return on their public education investments. A survey last year of 1,016 likely Oklahoma voters by the firm Cor Strategies found that only 22 percent think taxpayers are getting a good ROI – while 66 percent do not. And it’s not just Republicans, 60 percent of Democrats say we’re not getting a good ROI.

“America needs a tax cut,” Gov. Mary Fallin and several other GOP governors said in a Dec. 7 letter urging Congress to pass tax reform and send it to President Trump.

The Tax Foundation recently released its 2018 State Business Tax Climate Index. The report gauges how each state’s tax system compares to the others and ranks each one. In this year’s edition, Oklahoma is ranked 32nd.

Gov. Mary Fallin, during the regular and first special legislative sessions, repeatedly used a chart showing cuts to state agencies since 2009.

Oklahoma State Treasurer Ken Miller has released the gross receipts collection numbers for November. His report is good news for state agencies and reflects a recovering Oklahoma economy.

Tens of millions of dollars are missing; criminal investigations are underway. Officials at the State Department of Health, it seems, misspent funds and misled the public about it for at least six years.