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The Tax Foundation’s 2019 State Business Tax Climate Index ranks Oklahoma 26 overall. This is Oklahoma’s worst ranking in the last four years and five spots lower than last year.

Total Gross Receipts collected in August came in at $995.1 million—a 13.1%, or $115.4 million, increase from the same month in the prior year. Similarly, the General Revenue Fund grew by 9.9% coming in at $454.6 million. New revenue from legislative changes amounted to $18.3 million, or 16%, of this month’s growth.

When discussing teacher compensation, nearly all the focus revolves around average salaries. But ignoring teacher retirement benefits also ignores the cost to taxpayers.

Tax and fee increases passed during the 2018 session took effect in August, but most of the revenue growth came from a growing economy. Legislative changes resulted in $18.3 million, or 16%, of the total growth for the month.

A clear and full picture of public employee compensation is important when debating whether to increase the tax burden on Oklahomans.

It’s election season, and the two competing worldviews on the ballot are not new.

The Oklahoma State Treasurer, along with the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), released their monthly report for July’s revenue collections.

Total state funds expenditures are expected to smash records in fiscal year (FY) 2018 for the seventh consecutive year, after rising from $11.5 billion in FY 2011 to $16.1 billion in FY 2017.

Total Gross Receipts were up 11% and General Revenue Fund collections grew 16.1% in fiscal year 2018 compared to the year before. And, revenue from income and sales taxes continued to grow throughout the year.

When state government spends federal dollars, it seems like “free” money. After all, state legislators did not impose the taxes. Legislators and other state officials are much less likely to be held accountable for how that money gets spent. Federal officials, on the other hand, can blame the state if the money is poorly used. Nobody is ever on the hook. For taxpayers, this system is a nightmare, but for politicians, it’s perfect.