Articles
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Budget & Tax, Health Care
Oklahoma’s Medicaid bill comes due
The Obamacare Medicaid expansion was sold as a program fueled by “free” federal dollars, but Oklahoma is now seeing the real bill. Spending at the Oklahoma Health Care Authority has climbed by nearly $3.5 billion since 2020.Curtis Shelton | February 18, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Oklahoma’s ‘path to zero’ income tax survives first test in legislature
A proposal to repeal Oklahoma’s “path to zero” income-tax law—an automatic trigger that reduces rates whenever state revenues surge—failed in the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee on a 2–9 party-line vote.Ray Carter | February 16, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Health Care
Medicaid costs surge, squeezing Oklahoma’s budget
Oklahoma’s Medicaid program has become one of the fastest-growing pressures on the state budget, crowding out other budget priorities.Curtis Shelton | February 6, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Education
Munson’s claims of education cuts rebutted by revenue reports
House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson claims that recent school-funding increases are simply a recovery from “massive cuts” a decade ago—but state revenue records don’t support her story. It’s not the first time her claims have been contradicted by data.Ray Carter | February 5, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Health Care
Warnings prove true as Medicaid expansion strains Oklahoma state budget
Medicaid is blowing a hole in the state budget, with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority requesting nearly $500 million in new funding. Able-bodied, working-age adults added under the Obamacare Medicaid expansion continue to drive costs upward.Ray Carter | February 4, 2026
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Budget & Tax
Devon relocation highlights tax issue
Devon Energy’s decision to merge with Coterra and place the combined headquarters in Houston has reignited Oklahoma’s long-running fight over the state income tax.Ray Carter | February 3, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Education
Democrats criticize Stitt’s final address, challenge his tax and education priorities
Democratic lawmakers slammed Gov. Kevin Stitt’s final State of the State address, arguing that his $1.6 billion in tax cuts were ill-advised. One exception: Democratic state Sen. Mary Boren backed Stitt’s criticism of OSSAA over its treatment of open-transfer students.Ray Carter | February 3, 2026
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Budget & Tax
Stitt seeks to cap spending, expand school choice, rein in welfare costs
In his eighth and final State of the State address, Gov. Kevin Stitt urged lawmakers to lock in long-term fiscal restraint, expand educational freedom, and give voters the chance to curb runaway government.Ray Carter | February 2, 2026
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Budget & Tax
New Oklahoma data show rising school revenue—and a soaring cash pile
New data show Oklahoma public schools have far more money today than they did 15 years ago. Adjusted for inflation, per-pupil funding rose from $12,598 to $13,751. At the same time, districts have dramatically increased their unspent cash reserves.Curtis Shelton | January 30, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Good Government
Welfare fraud is baked in. Here’s what Gov. Stitt’s review should tackle
National scandals have exposed how welfare programs are built on incentives that reward signing up more recipients and pushing out more money, while offering almost no accountability for fraud. Gov. Kevin Stitt has ordered a review of Oklahoma’s welfare system. Here are some ideas.Trent England | January 29, 2026