Authors
Byron Schlomach, Ph.D.
Contributor
Byron Schlomach (Ph.D. in economics, Texas A&M University) has served as director of the Center for Economic Prosperity at the Goldwater Institute and as chief economist for the Texas Public Policy Foundation. He has also served as scholar-in-residence at the Institute for the Study of Free Enterprise at Oklahoma State University. Write to him at redneckeconomist@reagan.com.
Recent Articles
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Law & Principles
What SQ 832 gets wrong about real people
Proponents of SQ 832 may believe they’re promoting fairness, but they’re overlooking the fragile economics and personal choices that keep many of Oklahoma’s small businesses alive. The unintended damage could be lasting.Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. | March 9, 2026
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Economy
Minimum-wage hikes don’t magically cut evictions—they shift who gets hurt
Some people claim that minimum-wage increases reduce evictions, but the evidence behind that claim is thin and ignores basic supply-and-demand realities.Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. | December 8, 2025
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Economy, Culture & the Family
SQ 832: A recipe for greater inequality and generational hopelessness
Oklahoma's State Question 832, which would mandate automatic minimum-wage increases by linking Oklahoma to a national index, is touted as a tool to reduce income inequality and support families. In reality, it would do the opposite.Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. | October 30, 2025
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Economy
The slow-motion disaster of raising Oklahoma’s minimum wage
State Question 832, if approved, will gradually raise Oklahoma’s minimum wage—but its slow rollout masks the economic damage it will cause.Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. | October 7, 2025
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Higher Education
Oklahoma higher ed’s $17.48 ‘return’ claim doesn’t compute
A recent study claimed that every dollar in Oklahoma state appropriations to higher education generates $17.48 in economic output. Not only is that number inflated, but it also ignores the fact that money taken from taxpayers could be spent in other ways that might yield equal or greater economic benefits.Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. | September 5, 2025
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Higher Education
Oklahoma’s Promise is available to teachers’ children—now let’s extend it to everyone
Oklahoma teachers’ families can now use tax dollars for tuition at any public or private college. If it’s good enough for teachers’ kids, it’s good enough for everyone. It’s time for the Legislature to fund students, not institutions.Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. | July 16, 2025
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Education
A discredited reading-instruction method is (still) failing our kids
It’s time to hold professors and teachers accountable for continuing to use a discredited method.Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. | June 25, 2025
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Law & Principles
Unintended consequences: Oklahoma minimum-wage hike could fuel illegal-immigrant hiring
Oklahoma’s proposed minimum-wage hike could price Oklahoma teenagers and low-skilled workers out—and attract illegal immigrants willing to work under the table.Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. | June 12, 2025
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Budget & Tax
Billions in waste, zero oversight: DOGE reveals what Congress refused to see
DOGE has provided a valuable lesson for every Oklahoma state lawmaker: Oversight isn’t optional.Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. | May 15, 2025
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Good Government
Why DOGE is so important
Though ultimately Congress will have to act, the work DOGE is doing is vitally important.Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. | March 18, 2025
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