Authors
Curtis Shelton
Policy Research Fellow
Curtis Shelton currently serves as a policy research fellow for OCPA with a focus on fiscal policy. Curtis graduated Oklahoma State University in 2016 with a Bachelors of Arts in Finance. Previously, he served as a summer intern at OCPA and spent time as a staff accountant for Sutherland Global Services.
Recent Articles
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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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Economy
SQ 832 could raise prices for everyone
SQ 832 would increase Oklahoma’s minimum wage by tying it to the cost of living in expensive urban centers. Research repeatedly shows that significant minimum-wage hikes push up prices in sectors that are heavy on minimum-wage labor.Curtis Shelton | February 5, 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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Law & Principles, Economy
Study warns minimum-wage hike would cost Oklahoma 16,000 jobs, hit small businesses hardest
New research from the National Federation of Independent Business finds that the minimum wage increase proposed in State Question 832 would significantly damage Oklahoma’s economy, costing an estimated 16,112 jobs over 10 years—nearly 9,700 of them at small businesses—and reducing economic output by $697 million.Curtis Shelton | January 15, 2026
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma income-tax phaseout kicks in
Oklahoma’s income-tax phaseout plan took its first step on January 1, reducing the number of brackets from six to three and trimming each by a quarter point, lowering the top rate from 4.75% to 4.5%. The cuts come as state revenues remain stable with modest growth.Curtis Shelton | January 13, 2026
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Law & Principles, Economy
Montana’s inflation-indexed minimum wage squeezes small businesses
Since tying its minimum wage to inflation in 2007, Montana has seen higher business failure rates, weaker startup survival, and a sharp drop in labor-force participation among young workers. Oklahoma risks repeating that pattern if voters approve SQ 832.Curtis Shelton | January 7, 2026
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma state agencies go big with Christmas wish list
Oklahoma state agencies have unveiled their latest holiday wish lists, asking lawmakers for an extra $1.74 billion in funding—double last year’s request. The appeal comes after years of steep spending growth, with appropriations rising $4.7 billion since Gov. Kevin Stitt took office. Higher education is seeking the largest boost at $426 million, while the Space Port Authority again asks for the biggest percentage increase: 2,067%.Curtis Shelton | December 15, 2025
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Economy
Inflation-indexed minimum wages: Washington’s cautionary tale
Over the past 25 years, Washington state raised its minimum wage by 150 percent and, in 2021, locked in automatic annual hikes—just like those proposed under Oklahoma’s State Question 832. The results have been predictable.Curtis Shelton | November 24, 2025
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Budget & Tax
How Oklahoma can deliver property-tax relief the smart way
Rising property valuations are driving up tax bills, and Oklahoma homeowners are feeling the pinch. Here are some sensible reforms that state lawmakers should consider.Curtis Shelton | November 11, 2025
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma faces $226 million SNAP penalty unless error rates improve
Oklahoma could face up to $226 million in annual penalties under new federal rules targeting states with high SNAP error rates, but one straightforward fix could dramatically reduce that risk.Curtis Shelton | November 6, 2025
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