Articles
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Economy
Officials warn court decision will drive business out of Oklahoma
A state commission is calling for action to provide consistent and fair regulatory treatment of all Oklahomans following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.Ray Carter | October 23, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Economy
State unemployment fund drained by pandemic
An unprecedented surge in unemployment claims caused by this year’s COVID-19 shutdown, combined with major fraud, has drained Oklahoma’s unemployment insurance trust fund and requires an increase in associated taxes on employers.Ray Carter | October 21, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Economy
Continued oil slump threatens state finances
A new report from State Treasurer Randy McDaniel indicates the economic impacts of the COVID-19 shutdown are receding in Oklahoma, but state finances remain on shaky ground because of the continuing weakness of the oil-and-gas sector, a foundational element of the Oklahoma economy.Ray Carter | October 7, 2020
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Economy
Stitt: More state bailouts may create perverse incentives
Gov. Kevin Stitt remains opposed to additional federal bailouts of state governments, saying states have not yet spent all the bailout money already provided by Congress and warning additional bailouts could incentivize economically destructive policies in other states.Ray Carter | September 17, 2020
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Economy, Culture & the Family
Review of state’s pandemic response includes warnings
To better prepare for future pandemics, state lawmakers conducted a review this week of state and local government responses to COVID-19. Among the takeaways: Many challenges early in the pandemic were the result of the government itself.Ray Carter | September 16, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Economy
Oklahoma lawmakers oppose federal bailout of states
Twenty-three Oklahoma state legislators have joined colleagues from across the country to oppose additional federal bailouts for state governments.Ray Carter | September 14, 2020
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Economy
Oklahoma ranks high in economic report, but with caveats
Oklahoma ranks in the top 10 states in “economic outlook,” according to the 2020 “Rich States, Poor States” report issued by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). But there’s reason to think that may not last.Ray Carter | August 13, 2020
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Economy
Unemployment fraud still rampant in Oklahoma?
During the spring COVID-19 shutdown, Oklahoma officials were swamped with fraudulent unemployment claims.Ray Carter | July 30, 2020
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Economy
Innovative CareerTech program getting Oklahomans back to work
An Oklahoma CareerTech center has created an innovative program to help adults displaced by the coronavirus shutdown move rapidly from the classroom to the workforce.Mike Brake | July 22, 2020
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Economy, Culture & the Family
Oklahoma’s unemployment rate among nation’s lowest
Oklahoma’s reopening of business after the COVID shutdown has resulted in one of the nation’s lowest unemployment rates.Ray Carter | July 21, 2020