Articles
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Budget & Tax
No, it’s not personal
No part of government is too important for hard questions, tough oversight, real accountability, and strict limits on its power.Jonathan Small | November 10, 2017
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Budget & Tax
Weinstein film cost Oklahoma taxpayers $4.6 million
In 2005, the state of Oklahoma implemented a film incentive program with the goal of attracting movie and television productions to the state. “August: Osage County,” produced and distributed by the Weinstein Company, took advantage of the program in 2013, costing Oklahoma taxpayers more than $4.6 million.Jay Chilton | November 6, 2017
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Budget & Tax, Good Government
Did Harvey Weinstein benefit from Oklahoma’s Hollywood handout?
Current state law provides “a cash rebate of 35-37% on qualifying Oklahoma expenditures to film and television productions filming in the state,” plus a sales tax exemption.Trent England | November 3, 2017
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Budget & Tax
The facts about revolving funds
While recent legislative appropriations have remained relatively stable, total state spending has increased nearly every year. Much of the non-appropriated spending comes from the revolving funds designated for certain state agencies.Curtis Shelton | November 1, 2017
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Budget & Tax
TSET promotes alcohol consumption, other risky behaviors
Why does a state agency award grants for “alcohol use prevention” while promoting bars? And why would any state agency spend money to promote “drag shows” and other raunchy programs at nightclubs?Trent England | November 1, 2017
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Budget & Tax, Health Care
Oklahoma’s highly profitable nonprofit hospitals
Many “nonprofit” hospitals are highly profitable entities with vast amounts of net revenue, large cash balances, profligate capital spending, and generous executive compensation. Yet they constantly plead poverty and demand ever more government spending.Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. & Baylee Butler | November 1, 2017
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Budget & Tax, Education
Profit warning!
For many folks in the public school establishment, it seems that “profit” is a scary word.Curtis Shelton | October 30, 2017
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Budget & Tax
Use TSET to protect vital services
It’s time to use TSET funds to prioritize rural hospitals, nursing homes, and other vital services without increasing the burden of taxation on Oklahoma families.Jonathan Small | October 25, 2017
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Budget & Tax
Contra Oklahomans’ preference, state government continues to grow
Oklahoma government has been growing, not shrinking. People might question the priorities in the budget or in how specific agencies spend money, but the total burden on Oklahomans is higher than ever.Curtis Shelton | October 18, 2017
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Budget & Tax
Illinois—not Kansas—is a cautionary tale for Oklahoma policymakers
Illinois hadn’t passed a budget in just over two years, right up until July 6th. On that day, the legislature overrode the governor’s veto on a budget that apparently passes for a solution in Illinois—a “solution” featuring billions of dollars in annual tax increases.William Freeland | October 18, 2017