Articles
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Budget & Tax
Telling the truth about SQ 640
Whether it’s The Economist, The Washington Post, Bloomberg News, or their accomplices in Oklahoma, some just can’t wait to tell us how terrible things are.Jonathan Small | March 23, 2018
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Budget & Tax
The tax cut blame game
Those who want higher taxes generally blame past tax cuts for Oklahoma’s recent budget challenges. They cast particular blame on cuts to state income tax rates. While OCPA has questioned the severity of these challenges, we have also researched the connection between tax cuts and revenue.Curtis Shelton | March 22, 2018
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Budget & Tax
A look at February's economic report
The Oklahoma Treasurer’s monthly economic report, released this week, highlights February revenue collections. The report provides a breakdown of total gross receipts collected during the month along with various economic indicators for the state of Oklahoma.Curtis Shelton | March 16, 2018
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Budget & Tax, Education
The price tag on OEA's demands
When the teachers union released its spending demands last week, two things were missing. One was any plan to find the resources, either in other parts of government or through tax increases. The other was the total cost.Trent England | March 13, 2018
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Budget & Tax, Education
Time for lawmakers to assert authority, reward teachers
Oklahoma lawmakers have grappled for years over the matter of boosting public school teacher compensation.Jonathan Small | March 6, 2018
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Budget & Tax
Fixing future budgets
Some expenses are unpredictable. Will the transmission go out next month? Or, will it keep going for years? Other costs are predictable based on behavior. Keep grinding the gears and the transmission will fail.Jonathan Small | March 2, 2018
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Budget & Tax
Off the top, off the charts
Total state appropriations and total state spending are not the same thing. Conversations about the state budget and how much agencies have to spend often focus on a number near $7 billion. This number is only appropriations, not total spending.Curtis Shelton | February 28, 2018
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Budget & Tax, Education
Proposal would raise teacher pay, tame the bureaucracy
State Rep. Tom Gann (R-Inola) has proposed a bill that will fund a teacher pay raise with investment income derived from the assets managed by the Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO).Andrew C. Spiropoulos | February 23, 2018
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Budget & Tax
Too much state revenue?
State revenue keeps rising. This is good news for many Oklahomans, but not for those wanting higher taxes.Jonathan Small | February 23, 2018
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Budget & Tax
After Step Up plan fails, OKCPS urges employees to contact lawmakers
The acting superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools used the district’s taxpayer-funded email system to urge teachers and other staff members to lobby state lawmakers in the wake of the failure of the Step Up Oklahoma tax increase/teacher pay plan, OCPA has learned.Mike Brake | February 22, 2018