There's a New Think-Tank in Town (Tulsa World, June 22, 2008)

david — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:09:37 -0500

"Imagine an Oklahoma where the median income exceeds the national average; where all our kids are healthy; where each child learns the skills they need to succeed."

I wonder if you can.

For better or worse (Tulsa World, June 1, 2008)

david — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 09:21:00 -0500

Less government headed this way

For my phone pal who calls the office voice mail every Sunday to preach his less-government-is-great sermon, your prayers have been answered. "Less" looms and the results will be painful for those who can afford it the least.

Lawmakers spend it all before adjourning (Associated Press, May 30, 2008)

david — Fri, 30 May 2008 09:53:28 -0500

By Ron Jenkins

Associated Press Writer

Oklahoma lawmakers left virtually no money on the table for emergencies as they spent $12 million on various projects and programs before adjourning the 2008 legislative session.

Forecast for State Funding Seems Cloudy (Tulsa World, May 29, 2008)

Thu, 29 May 2008 09:45:30 -0500

by: ANGEL RIGGS World Capitol Bureau

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma's standstill budget for the upcoming fiscal year will likely impact the state's ability to fund services and programs, according to a study released Wednesday by the Oklahoma Policy Institute.

Most state agencies didn't receive any increase in state funding, despite increased fuel, utility and benefits costs, nor did they receive much direction from lawmakers on how to cope with the increases, according to the study.

Report Predicts Cuts to State Services (Associated Press, May 28, 2008)

Wed, 28 May 2008 19:12:32 -0500

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A combination of a flat state budget and rising costs assures cuts in state services this year, according to a new report by the Oklahoma Policy Institute.

A $7.1 billion general appropriations bill adopted by the recently adjourned Legislature was billed as a "maintenance-of-effort" budget.

But the report says cuts in some services are inevitable because the budget did not include enough money for most agencies to cover steep rates of inflation for basic operations.

Editorial: Think Again: New Institute to Fill State's Policy Tank (May 28, 2008)

Wed, 28 May 2008 08:51:47 -0500

The Oklahoman Editorial

In the think tank domain, Oklahoma has a new kid on the block but it's not kidding about its mission.

That would include transforming the state into one in which kids are healthy, their parents are prosperous and the population is well-educated.

On those goals, virtually everyone would agree with the new Oklahoma Policy Institute. But not everything the organization advocates will find favor with average Oklahomans, especially the more conservative ones.

Media Release: OK Policy Releases FY '09 Budget Review

Wed, 28 May 2008 08:48:03 -0500

Falling Flat: New Report Examines Whether FY '09 Budget

Will Lead to Cuts in Services and Programs

Editorial: Grim Outlook: State's Poor Face More Suffering (Tulsa World, May 14, 2008)

Wed, 14 May 2008 09:27:30 -0500

by: World Editorial Writers

State's poor face more suffering

Podcast: Mainstream Baptists Interview with David Blatt (May 11, 2008)

Tue, 13 May 2008 12:55:22 -0500

Link to the Podcast of the Dr. Bruce Prescott's 5-11-08 "Religious Talk" radio interview with David Blatt, Director of Policy for the Oklahoma Policy Institute. The interview discusses OK Policy's first issue brief "On the Brink". (.pdf)

Study: Economic Downturn Could Hit Oklahoma Hard (Tulsa World, May 7, 2008)

Wed, 07 May 2008 07:38:49 -0500

by: ANGEL RIGGS World Capitol Bureau

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Not all Oklahomans are benefiting from the state's strong economy, and some could face severe hardship should national trends emerge in the state, according to a study released Tuesday by the Oklahoma Policy Institute.

"If we do hit the downturn, there's going to be a segment of the population that really doesn't have notches left in their belts to tighten," said David Blatt, the institute's director of public policy.