Articles
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Budget & Tax, Economy
As other states shift left, Mazzei pitches Oklahoma as a destination for growth
Oklahoma Governor-elect Mike Mazzei says the state can capitalize on this year’s Democratic gains in other states by positioning itself as a more attractive destination for families and businesses seeking lower taxes, economic opportunity, and limited government.Ray Carter | November 4, 2026
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Budget & Tax
As property taxes soar, experts urge Oklahoma to adopt ‘Truth in Taxation’
As rising property values push up Oklahomans’ property tax bills, policy experts are urging lawmakers to adopt a “Truth in Taxation” system modeled on reforms in Utah and Kansas.Ray Carter | October 19, 2026
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Budget & Tax
A new jail is a core function of government. Oklahoma County should fund it.
Oklahoma County voters face a choice over whether to raise sales taxes to fund a new county jail.Jonathan Small | October 19, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Local Government
OKC rail plan would add roughly $200 a year to the average resident’s sales tax burden
The tax hike required for the proposed passenger rail line connecting Edmond, Oklahoma City, and Norman would add an estimated $226 to the annual sales-tax burden of the average Edmond resident, $204 for an Oklahoma City resident, and $182 for a Norman resident.Curtis Shelton | October 9, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Oklahoma Supreme Court rejects tax hike, requires county officials to follow the law
The Oklahoma Supreme Court has invalidated a voter-approved 2% lodging-tax increase in McCurtain County because county officials failed to comply with a state law requiring proposed county tax measures to be published in a local newspaper for four weeks before the election.Ryan Haynie | October 8, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Local Government
OKC rail gamble comes as transit systems nationwide face billion-dollar shortfalls
Oklahoma City metro area officials are proposing a $1.8 billion, 39-mile commuter-rail system from Edmond to Norman just as major transit agencies nationwide confront mounting structural deficits and seek new taxpayer funding.Ray Carter | September 2, 2026
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma’s tax cuts are proving the critics wrong
Oklahoma’s experience under Gov. Kevin Stitt offers a useful rebuttal to the argument that cutting income taxes necessarily reduces government revenue.Jonathan Small | August 31, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Education
State data contradict Munson’s claims about taxes, education funding, teacher pay
Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus leader Cyndi Munson has made several claims about state taxes and education policy that conflict with publicly available government data.Ray Carter | August 26, 2026
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Budget & Tax
ONE Transit approves consulting contract for proposed OKC commuter rail
Oklahoma City-area officials are moving ahead with preparations for a proposed commuter rail system from Edmond through Oklahoma City to Norman even though voters have not yet decided whether to approve the tax increase expected to help fund the project.Ray Carter | August 21, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Education
Oklahoma schools got $3 billion more. Much of it is sitting in the bank.
A new report raises questions about whether Oklahoma’s education system has a funding problem or a spending problem, particularly as school districts accumulate large reserves while teacher hiring lags behind overall staffing growth.Ray Carter | August 13, 2026