With revenues stumbling and funding levels staying flat, Oklahoma faces great challenges in making progress towards its goals of becoming a healthier, better-educated and more economically vibrant state that provides opportunities to all. This presentation from OK Policy provides a wealth of information about how we fund public services, with a particular emphasis on the short-term and long-term challenges ahead. The presentation includes updated information reflecting decisions made in the 2008 legislative session.

Legislation passed on the final day of the 2008 session provides for major additional funding for state transportation projects over the coming years. This fact sheet looks at how the state's transportation budget is projected to grow from $400 million this year to just under $735 million by FY '17.

The 2008 Legislature approved a "maintenance-of-effort" budget that provides a mere 0.7% increase in appropriations for FY '09 compared to FY '08. However, as agencies grapple with rising operating costs and unfunded benefit increases, flat funding may fall short of ensuring a maintenance of effort, and lead instead to cuts in programs and services. Read OK Policy's full issue brief on the FY '09 budget or check out the Budget Basics - complete with agency-by-agency funding levels - in our 2-page factsheet.

Oklahoma's economy continues to outperform the nation's as a whole, yet many families are already caught in the financial pinch of stagnant wages and rising costs. This brief and the fact sheet explore the main factors contributing to the economic squeeze on Oklahoma households and reviews some of the indicators revealing the extent and range of hardships confronting many families. With state tax collections already declining, it will be a great challenge to assist families in need if and when the national economic downturn hits Oklahoma.

This fact sheet summarizes the ten things you should know (but may not) about Oklahoma’s Budget and Tax System.

Property taxes, also known as ad valorem taxes, are the largest single local government revenue sources in Oklahoma (54% of local government tax revenue). This fact sheet summarizes many elements of property taxes in Oklahoma.

This issue brief and fact sheet were produced for the Alliance for Oklahoma's Future under the direction of David Blatt, then Chair of the Alliance.

Oklahoma faces tough choices on its state budget. A slowing economy, coinciding with the full implementation of state income tax cuts, has brought an abrupt end to the recent string of budget surpluses. This issue brief and fact sheet identify and discuss the range of options for dealing with budget shortfalls.

This Insight was produced for the Alliance for Oklahoma's Future under the direction of David Blatt, then Chair of the Alliance.

Although Oklahoma’s economy continues to show signs of decent growth, the state budget is in rough straits. This Insight summarizes the long-term consequences of Oklahoma’s recent tax cuts.

This Insight was produced for the Alliance for Oklahoma's Future under the direction of David Blatt, then Chair of the Alliance. 

Governor Brad Henry’s $7.3 billion fiscal 2009 budget reflects the struggle ahead, as rising costs and slowing revenues translate into possible cuts in vital public services. This Insight piece summarizes the Governor’s budget proposal.

This issue brief and the fact sheets were produced for the Public Policy Department of the Community Action Project of Tulsa County under the direction of David Blatt, then Director of Policy at CAP. 

This fact sheet was produced for the Public Policy Department of the Community Action Project of Tulsa County under the direction of David Blatt, then Director of Policy at CAP. 

This fact sheet summarizes the recommendations of a legislative task force regarding public deposits in 529 College Savings Plans.

This fact sheet was produced for the Public Policy Department of the Community Action Project of Tulsa County under the direction of David Blatt, then Director of Policy at CAP.

HB 1804, Oklahoma’s law targeting illegal immigrants, took effect November 1st. The new law is a far-reaching piece of legislation that confers new powers and responsibilities on governments, law enforcement, and businesses to verify the legal status of individuals in various situations.

This issue brief was produced for the Public Policy Department of the Community Action Project of Tulsa County under the direction of David Blatt, then Director of Policy at CAP 

HB 1804 passed the Oklahoma Legislature during the 2007 legislative session. The bill, which is slated to take effect on November 1, 2007, represents a far-ranging attempt by Oklahoma to take on federal immigration functions in the areas of law enforcement and verification of eligibility for employment and public benefits.

This news brief was produced for the Public Policy Department of the Community Action Project of Tulsa County under the direction of David Blatt, then Director of Policy at CAP. 

This news brief discusses new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau which reveals an alarming increase in the number of Oklahomans living in poverty.

HB 1804 was introduced and passed during the 2007 Oklahoma Legislative session.

• The bill passed both Chambers by large veto-proof margins (85-13; 41-6) and was signed by Governor Henry on May 8th.

• The bill took effect November 1, 2007 (although one employment section is deferred until July 1, 2008).