Articles
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Budget & Tax, Good Government
Conservative leaders urge Oklahoma politicians to protect taxpayers
We are a coalition of conservative citizens, many of us serving in leadership of state or local organizations, who write to urge you to address the need for more consolidation and other efficiencies in all areas of state government and to resist raising taxes on your constituents.Jonathan Small | September 28, 2017
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Budget & Tax
Cost Avoidance #2-4: Cut cronyism for wind companies
Capping annual payouts of the Zero-Emission Tax Credit and the ad valorem reimbursement for wind energy companies at $12.5 million each, and repealing the sales tax exemption for wind turbines, could save more than $72 million in the current budget year and more in future years.Trent England | September 27, 2017
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Budget & Tax
AP Reports state funds 'slashed,' 'depleted'
Sean Murphy covers Oklahoma for the Associated Press, which means his articles can reach across the country. In August, one such article claimed to explain how state budget problems have led to low teacher pay.Curtis Shelton | September 27, 2017
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Budget & Tax
Cost Avoidance #6: End payouts for tribal tobacco sales
Did you know that some Oklahoma cigarette tax dollars actually go to subsidize the sale of cigarettes? Sound crazy? Here’s how it happens.Trent England | September 27, 2017
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Budget & Tax, Health Care
TSET: Don't smoke, get drunk!
Why does a state agency award grants for “alcohol use prevention” while promoting bars and nightclubs?Trent England | September 26, 2017
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Budget & Tax
AP reports state funds 'slashed,' 'depleted'
In June 2017, Gallup reported that 27 percent of Americans—and only 13 percent of Republicans—say they have “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in newspapers.Curtis Shelton | September 26, 2017
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Budget & Tax
Economic effects on Oklahoma tax revenues
As the data shows, the challenge in Oklahoma over the last few years is that Oklahomans have had to make due with less.Curtis Shelton | September 26, 2017
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Budget & Tax, Culture & the Family
'Dragalicious' for kids, 'Ru Paul’s Drag Race,' get Oklahoma government support
Smoking and second-hand smoke are health risks. So are many other behaviors.Staff Reports | September 26, 2017
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Budget & Tax, Health Care
Cost Avoidance #1: Less fraud in Medicaid
Federal reform is necessary to save Medicaid, both from compromising care for the most vulnerable and from bankrupting states and the country.Trent England | September 25, 2017
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Budget & Tax
“Cost avoidance” for special session
Now the Oklahoma legislature is coming back for a special session, at a cost of around $30,000 per day. Lawmakers should focus on ending the session as quickly as possible without raising taxes.Trent England | September 22, 2017