Articles

How the state government spends its money is a concern for most Oklahomans. Where that money goes tells citizens about the priorities of our politicians.

What does government cost? Often the only real answer is, whatever politicians can convince us it costs.

If you’ve read anything lately from liberal think tanks or journalists about tax reform in Kansas, you may think there has been a “failed Kansas experiment.” The facts tell a different story

While budget deficits did occur in Kansas following the tax reform, state government spending contributed critically to the deficits. Simply put, Kansas cut revenue while simultaneously increasing expenditures.

Our lawmakers have a rare opportunity to take some real steps to address chronic budget issues and to make our state a better, safer, more attractive place to live.

Oklahoma can’t afford to lose more homegrown talent to other states, whether in teaching or other professions. With SQ 779’s defeat, Oklahomans have given the Legislature the opportunity to address this urgency without further burdening working Oklahomans.

Both in Oklahoma and nationally, the labor force participation rate has modestly improved since a steep decline caused by the Great Recession, but that recovery from a cyclical decline has likely peaked.

Due to the issue of global warming, or climate change, or catastrophic weather—that is, the claim this real-or-not phenomenon has resulted from mankind’s production of carbon dioxide and the resultant increase in that trace gas’s concentration in the atmosphere—the federal government and many states have encouraged investment in wind-powered electricity generation.

In a report from the state of Oklahoma Incentive Evaluation Commission on the tax credit for zero-emission facilities, the commission made clear that state subsidies for wind power generation in Oklahoma are decimating the state budget.

The sales tax is perceived as a “good tax” because it taxes consumption and therefore minimizes tax-induced distortions in the rest of the economy. For example, a do-it-yourself homeowner who goes to Home Depot to buy a hammer to hang a picture is doing so for personal use, i.e., consumption. Yet, that same hammer could have been bought by a local carpenter who will use it to build cabinets that will be installed in new homes. In this case, the hammer is a business investment.