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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Economy
Experts urge Oklahoma lawmakers to weigh data centers’ economic and strategic benefits
An economist and a national-security expert urged Oklahoma lawmakers to consider the potential economic and strategic benefits of data-center development, arguing that new facilities need not raise residential electricity rates or place excessive demands on water supplies.Ray Carter | October 28, 2026
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Economy
Government to blame for higher prices
Government intervention—rather than market failure—is a primary driver of sustained price inflation in housing, higher education, and health care.Jonathan Small | October 26, 2026
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Economy
Experts tell Oklahoma lawmakers government is making things more expensive
Experts from several policy organizations told Oklahoma lawmakers on Monday that government regulations and spending policies can contribute to rising costs for housing, higher education, and health care.Ray Carter | October 13, 2026
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Economy, Energy
Armstrong seeks to fast-track America's energy future
Rising energy demand will push electricity prices higher unless America makes it easier to build new energy infrastructure. Sen. Alan Armstrong (R-Okla.) has introduced legislation to increase energy supply, help restrain costs for consumers, and replace regulatory bottlenecks with a more predictable approval process.Jonathan Small | August 10, 2026
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Economy
Want affordable housing? Get government out of the way
If Oklahoma wants to remain an affordable place to live, policymakers should focus on removing the obstacles that make homes more expensive to build and buy.Jonathan Small | August 3, 2026
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Economy, Energy
Armstrong seeks to cut red tape, reduce energy costs
U.S. Sen. Alan Armstrong has introduced legislation to overhaul the federal permitting process for energy and mineral projects. The American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act would streamline environmental reviews, limit duplicative permitting requirements, curb litigation delays, and strengthen federal oversight of interstate energy projects.Ray Carter | July 27, 2026
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Economy, Culture & the Family
‘Worst’ states? Actions speak louder than rankings
Two national media outlets recently ranked Oklahoma among America's worst places to live, but the people actually moving across state lines tell a very different story.Jonathan Small | July 27, 2026
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Economy
Oklahoma ranks 15th-best state for homeownership—but one weakness stands out
A new report from the Hern Policy Institute ranks Oklahoma as the 15th-least burdensome state for homeownership, citing relatively low long-term ownership costs and limited zoning burdens, but finds the state lags many others in the pace of housing permitting and new construction.Ray Carter | July 20, 2026
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Economy, Culture & the Family
New report: Oklahoma’s growth driven by tax policy, housing supply
A new policy brief from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University finds Oklahoma ranked 11th nationally in net domestic migration from 2018 to 2023. The report concludes that lower tax burdens and policies that allow more home construction are the strongest predictors of population growth.Ray Carter | July 16, 2026