Another year goes by, and Oklahoma still leads the nation for cuts to education

Despite numerous promises by Oklahoma lawmakers that this would be the year they begin undoing K-12 education cuts and funding a desperately needed teacher raise, ultimately too many of our legislators refused to raise revenues. Unsurprisingly, a new update from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities shows Oklahoma continues to lead the nation for cuts to our state aid formula since before the Great Recession.

The report, aptly titled "A Punishing Decade for School Funding", shows that 29 states are still providing less general school funding per student than they were in 2008. When it comes to general state aid — the most important funding source for Oklahoma schools' daily operating expenses and the salaries of teachers and other school staff — Oklahoma's cuts are by far the worst. After inflation and enrollment growth, our percentage cut to state aid increased this year to 28.2 percent. No other state even tops 20 percent.

Oklahoma’s meager $2-per-pupil increase this year was not even enough to keep up with inflation, much less to offset the state’s $1,058-per-pupil cut over the previous nine years.

Oklahoma moved up in the ranks for cuts to total state funding of schools, too. From 2008 to 2015, the state reduced total school funding by 15.6 percent, seventh worst in the nation. Combined state and local funding levels are down by 11.8 percent, eighth worst in the nation.

Despite attempts by some education funding opponents to shift the blame for what's happening in our schools, cuts of this magnitude cannot be wished away. The overwhelming reality is that underfunding — not administrative costs, color copies, or some other excuse — is the reason why Oklahoma's teacher shortage is getting worse, schools are hiring more and more underqualified teachers, and one in five school districts in the state are no longer holding classes five days a week.

It's also no coincidence that seven of the twelve states with the biggest cuts in general school funding since 2008 ― Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Oklahoma ― have also cut income tax rates in recent years. The cost of income tax cuts and of huge tax breaks for oil and gas producers have overwhelmed all other attempts to raise revenue.

These cuts are weakening Oklahoma's economy both today and for years to come. Businesses are refusing to move here because their employees don't want to put their kids in our schools. Besides, quality elementary, middle, and high school education provides a crucial foundation that helps children to succeed in college and in the workplace. Much of the money they earn as adults is returned to the state economy through taxes, home purchases, and spending at local businesses.

In addition, school budgets that force school layoffs or cut pay for teachers and other staff can reduce purchasing power and slow the overall economy. The Center on Budget's report finds that K-12 public schools employed about 135,000 fewer people in fall 2017 compared to fall 2008, even though enrollment nationwide was up by 1.4 million students. The most recent date for Oklahoma shows public schools employ 4,900 fewer workers compared to 2009 (a 5.3 percent decrease). Over that same time, enrollment in Oklahoma increased by nearly 48,000 students (7.4 percent).

“At a time when the nation is trying to position every child and every community to succeed in today’s economy, states should be investing more — not less — so our kids get the best possible start in life,” said Michael Leachman, director of state fiscal research at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and author of the report.

Unfortunately, that seems to be a lesson not yet learned by Oklahoma lawmakers — at least not enough of them to make a difference.

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[In The Know] Oklahoma again No. 1 in the nation for funding cuts to common education

View this email in your browser. In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Click here to subscribe to In The Know and see past editions. Today In The News Oklahoma again No. 1 in the nation for funding cuts to common education: Oklahoma's state funding cuts to common education once again lead the nation, as has been the case for the good part of the past decade. The state leads in inflation-adjusted cuts to state common education funding per student since 2008 for the fourth straight year, according to a comparison from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The nonpartisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities works at the federal and state levels on fiscal policy and public programs that affect low- and moderate-income individuals and families [Tulsa World]. Read the full report [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]. James Lankford is on board with the Republican tax cut bill despite debt concerns: U.S. Sen. James Lankford said Wednesday he will support a Republican tax cut plan despite prior misgivings about its effect on the national debt. Lankford's office said he was persuaded to back the bill after receiving assurances that a backstop provision will be put in place to lessen or prevent increases to the debt [NewsOK]. How Oklahomans would fare under the Congressional GOP tax plan [OK Policy]. Oklahoma health insurance sign-ups increase, but why? Oklahomans are signing up for health insurance through the exchange faster than they did last year, though it remains to be seen if more people are seeking coverage overall. As of Nov. 25, Oklahomans had signed up for 43,253 plans through the exchange, according to a weekly enrollment snapshot from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Last year, Oklahoma recorded 31,803 plans selected by the Nov. 26, 2016, enrollment snapshot [NewsOK].

-18.7%

Change in Oklahoma’s state tax collections from their highest point to the first quarter of 2017, the third largest decline among the states

Source: Pew Trusts

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QotD 11/30/17

“There is simply no way for Congress in 2017 to anticipate what the fiscal and economic circumstances will be over the next decade and to design a trigger that will work as intended at some point off in the future. Senator Lankford should hold firm to his insistence that the tax bill not increase the deficit and not settle for a defective substitute.”

– OK Policy Executive Director David Blatt, urging Senator James Lankford to oppose the GOP’s federal tax cut proposal. Lankford indicated he would support the bill if it included a trigger to raise taxes if revenue falls sharply (Source)

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In The Know: Oklahoma again No. 1 in the nation for funding cuts to common education

In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Click here to subscribe to In The Know and see past editions.

Today In The News

Oklahoma again No. 1 in the nation for funding cuts to common education: Oklahoma's state funding cuts to common education once again lead the nation, as has been the case for the good part of the past decade. The state leads in inflation-adjusted cuts to state common education funding per student since 2008 for the fourth straight year, according to a comparison from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The nonpartisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities works at the federal and state levels on fiscal policy and public programs that affect low- and moderate-income individuals and families [Tulsa World]. Read the full report [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities].

James Lankford is on board with the Republican tax cut bill despite debt concerns: U.S. Sen. James Lankford said Wednesday he will support a Republican tax cut plan despite prior misgivings about its effect on the national debt. Lankford's office said he was persuaded to back the bill after receiving assurances that a backstop provision will be put in place to lessen or prevent increases to the debt [NewsOK]. How Oklahomans would fare under the Congressional GOP tax plan [OK Policy].

Oklahoma health insurance sign-ups increase, but why? Oklahomans are signing up for health insurance through the exchange faster than they did last year, though it remains to be seen if more people are seeking coverage overall. As of Nov. 25, Oklahomans had signed up for 43,253 plans through the exchange, according to a weekly enrollment snapshot from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Last year, Oklahoma recorded 31,803 plans selected by the Nov. 26, 2016, enrollment snapshot [NewsOK].

Senator Lankford ignores the example of his own state if he thinks tax triggers are responsible: The United States Senate is poised to vote as early as this week on a major tax overhaul bill. Although tax reform is the highest priority of Congressional Republicans and the White House, crafting legislation capable of securing a 51-vote majority in the narrowly-divided Senate has been a huge challenge for Republican leaders. For several Republican Senators, including Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford, the main concern with the tax bill is the huge amount it would add to the federal deficit [OK Policy].

Tax overhaul looks like a roll of the dice for most Oklahomans: To get Lankford's vote, Republican leadership agreed to "backstop" provisions that work a lot like Oklahoma's income tax triggers, except in reverse. If the tax cuts don't produce the predicted growth, taxes increase. But not in a recession and, as Lankford himself said, not by very much. Just about all analysts seem to see the Republican proposal as a big win for big business and high-income Americans and a big risk for just about everyone else, especially when coupled with the GOP budget resolution the tax cuts are part of [Randy Krehbiel / Tulsa World]. 

Prosperity Policy: We’ve come a long way: Five years ago, in her second year as governor, Mary Fallin introduced a plan to eliminate the state income tax as her highest priority. Two weeks ago, Gov. Fallin vetoed a state budget because it failed to include any permanent tax increases. Three years ago, a majority of Oklahoma lawmakers, including almost all Republicans, voted to cut the state income tax by nearly half a percent and then allowed the tax cut to take effect even as the state faced crushing budget shortfalls [David Blatt / Journal Record].

DHS programs now funded for about 3 months: Though the Oklahoma Legislature soon must return to the capitol building to clear the budgetary rubble left by Gov. Mary Fallin's veto, a cohort of state residents is breathing easier - for now. The veto, which crossed out 165 of 170 sections passed in special session by lawmakers, did not touch $26.9 million in emergency funding for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. Urgent funding for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services also emerged intact [Tahlequah Daily Press].

Commissioners quiz officials about road and bridge funds: County commissioners from across the state gathered Wednesday in Oklahoma City seeking answers from the executive branch about the raid on county roads and bridges fund to prop up state agencies. Gene Wallace, executive director for the Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma, said Gov. Mary Fallin’s veto of a budget bill passed by lawmakers during a special session “had the effect of taking a cumulative total of $130 million from the fund.” The County Improvements to Roads and Bridges fund, he said, receives annual appropriations totaling $120 million [Muskogee Phoenix].

OK sheriffs' arrangement worthy of second look: As lawmakers who favor criminal justice reform look for ways to improve Oklahoma's system, they should review a program that's enriching one group while further burdening those trying to get back on their feet after serving time. The Oklahoman's Nolan Clay reported Sunday on how the Oklahoma Sheriffs' Association has made more than $4 million for its part in collecting overdue fines, court costs and fees in criminal cases. It might be difficult to find a sweeter deal [Editorial Board / The Oklahoman].

State Health official latest to leave: The chief operating officer at the Oklahoma State Department of Health has resigned, the latest in a string of departures at the embattled agency. A spokesman confirmed that Deborah Nichols resigned Tuesday. The move adds another vacancy to be filled at the state Health Department. Along with Commissioner Terry Cline and Senior Deputy Commissioner Julie Cox-Kain who resigned less than a month ago, the agency has also lost another top aide and both senior lawyers [NewsOK].

DOC wants more privacy for the agency, private contractors: Oklahoma Department of Corrections officials started drafts on legislation they plan to request during the 2018 session, some of which would grant more privacy to agency officials as well as companies that build and administer private prisons. One bill would create some leeway for the agency within the Oklahoma Open Meetings Act, and the other within Oklahoma Open Records Act. The new exemptions would allow the agency’s governing board to privately discuss security policies and contract negotiations in closed-door meetings known as executive sessions [Journal Record].

Raising expectations, lifting student outcomes: From an increasingly diverse student population to an unprecedented teacher shortage, Oklahoma’s public education system has weathered many challenges, but its chief aim has not changed: the need to prepare young people for college or the workforce after high school graduation. Accomplishing that mission has been problematic, however, with our teachers saddled by inadequate academic standards and assessments that fell short of national comparability [State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister / Tulsa World].

Energy consultant sues dozens of state agencies in contract dispute: Three years ago, the Oklahoma government hired a consultant to help reduce energy usage across the board. Last week, that consultant filed a lawsuit against dozens of agencies, alleging that officials’ failure to report data and pay for services breached a contract and cost the firm money. The lawsuit involves state contracts for an energy-use reduction program the Legislature approved in 2012, in which a third party would work with agencies to adapt employees’ behavior and other practices [Journal Record].

Lawsuit Takes Aim At Oklahoma AG Mike Hunter, Former AG Scott Pruitt: A new lawsuit from a government watchdog group is taking aim at Attorney General Mike Hunter and Former Attorney General Scott Pruitt. The lawsuit was filed by the Washington DC based group Campaign for Accountability and it's asking a state audit from 2011 be released. The audit was requested by Pruitt, after he was alerted by former Senator Tom Coburn about possible foul play in Tar Creek Reclamation site [News On 6].

Quote of the Day

"There is simply no way for Congress in 2017 to anticipate what the fiscal and economic circumstances will be over the next decade and to design a trigger that will work as intended at some point off in the future. Senator Lankford should hold firm to his insistence that the tax bill not increase the deficit and not settle for a defective substitute."

- OK Policy Executive Director David Blatt, urging Senator James Lankford to oppose the GOP's federal tax cut proposal. Lankford indicated he would support the bill if it included a trigger to raise taxes if revenue falls sharply (Source)

Number of the Day

-18.7%

Change in Oklahoma's state tax collections from their highest point to the first quarter of 2017, the third largest decline among the states

Source: Pew Trusts

See previous Numbers of the Day here.

Policy Note

Young people with disabilities more likely to be arrested: More than half of blacks in the U.S. with disabilities will be arrested by the time they reach their late 20s, a new study finds. In general, people with mental or physical disabilities were 13 percent more likely to be arrested as juveniles or young adults than people free of disability, according to the report in the American Journal of Public Health. For blacks, disability widened the chances of arrest by 17 percent, and more than 55 percent of blacks with disabilities were arrested by age 28 [Reuters].

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Congressman Lankford ignores the example of his own state if he thinks tax triggers are responsible

The United States Senate is poised to vote as early as this week on a major tax overhaul bill.  Although tax reform is the highest priority of Congressional Republicans and the White House, crafting legislation capable of securing a 51-vote majority in the narrowly-divided Senate has been a huge challenge for Republican leaders.

For several Republican Senators, including Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford, the main concern with the tax bill is the huge amount it would add to the federal deficit. According to the official estimate from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the Senate bill would increase the deficit by $1.4 trillion from 2018 to 2027. Other respected estimates show an even larger deficit increase resulting from this plan.

Some Republicans have disputed the deficit projections from the CBO and other non-partisan experts, claiming that the tax cut would generate enough economic growth to fully or largely offset the loss revenue (note that no serious economist believes this). Senator Lankford, however, is urging caution. His wariness is due in part due to recent experiences in Oklahoma and Kansas, where tax cuts have failed to spark economic growth and have instead led to large budget shortfalls and the need for deep cuts to services. In a press conference this week, Sen. Lankford laid out his concerns, as reported by Talking Points Memo:

“We can’t ignore the debt and deficit issues,” he said. “As conservatives, we’ve said for a long time that to get ahead of the deficit we have to control our spending and have a growing, healthy economy. Well, if we use all of the tax reductions to just offset, we’ll never get on top of it.”

“Those of us in Oklahoma and Kansas and the middle of the country have seen some of this in our own state legislatures,” Lankford said. “It’s important to learn from what we’ve seen.”

To address concern that the tax bill will blow up the budget, Sen. Lankford, along with Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee and other deficit hawks, have been working with Republican leaders and the White House on a "backstop" or "trigger" mechanism for when revenue gains fail to materialize. Although no specific details about the "trigger" have been shared with the public, Corker says that it would raise taxes "if the plan does not boost the U.S. economy enough," according to CNBC.

Oklahoma's Trigger Warning

While coupling large tax cuts to a formula that would provide for automatic tax increases may be intended to promote fiscal responsibility, the reality is that triggers are an inherently flawed policy tool. Oklahoma's recent experience provides an especially stark example of the problem with triggers.

[pullquote]“Once tax policy was set on auto-pilot, lawmakers couldn't or wouldn't take the corrective action needed to change course.”[/pullquote]

In 2014, Oklahoma lawmakers passed a two-phase cut to the state's top personal income tax rate that was tied to future revenue growth. The tax cut lowering the top rate from 5.25 to 5 percent was triggered in late 2014 based on revenue projections for fifteen months out that were soon proven too optimistic. Yet once tax policy was set on auto-pilot, lawmakers couldn't or wouldn't take the corrective action needed to change course. The tax cut took effect in January 2016 just as the state was announcing the first of two mid-year revenue failures totaling 7 percent and was facing a $1 billion budget shortfall for the next fiscal year.  It's notable that Oklahoma lawmakers this past session repealed the second triggered tax cut baked into the 2014 law that could have automatically lowered the income tax next year.

A federal tax trigger would differ in the details, but it would involve similar risks of bad timing. This is especially true if an automatic tax increase was triggered by declining tax revenues in the midst of a recession. As Matthew Yglesias writes:

Trigger proponents want a mechanism that will cancel tax cuts if the fanciful growth forecasts of ardent supply siders turn out to be wrong, but it’s difficult to design a mechanism that accomplishes that without also introducing an “automatic destabilizer” that delivers a hefty dose of anti-stimulus to the economy if it falls into recession.

As noted by the chief economist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in a blog post titled "A Fiscal Trigger is Impractical, Unreasonable, and Unnecessary," a recession at some point in the next decade is a virtual certainty; having one hit while a trigger was in place "would create enormous problems."

The Bottom Line

There is simply no way for Congress in 2017 to anticipate what the fiscal and economic circumstances will be over the next decade and to design a trigger that will work as intended at some point off in the future. Senator Lankford should hold firm to his insistence that the tax bill not increase the deficit and not settle for a defective substitute.

You can email Sen. Lankford here or call his office at (202) 224-5754.

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[In The Know] For second year, state corrections board requests more than $1 billion in state funding

View this email in your browser. In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Click here to subscribe to In The Know and see past editions. Today In The News For second year, state corrections board requests more than $1 billion in state funding: The Oklahoma Board of Corrections on Tuesday approved a budget request of more than $1.5 billion to fund employee pay raises, two new prisons and a host of other improvements at state prison facilities. Approval of the department’s requested fiscal year 2019 budget, which is more than a billion dollars higher than the $485 million appropriated by the Legislature for this fiscal year, comes as Gov. Mary Fallin’s office prepares to call a second special Legislative session to fill this fiscal year’s budget hole [The Frontier]. Oklahoma’s prisons are still on a path to disaster [OK Policy]. ‘Lagging uncertainty’ wreaking havoc with health care: The Oklahoma Legislature’s failure to pass a long-term, sustainable budget is making it difficult for doctors, hospitals and nursing homes, medical advocates say. Without a legislative plan to fund Medicaid, health care providers are now bracing for the latest round of proposed reimbursement rate reductions slated to take effect Jan. 1. The state’s Health Care Authority, which runs the Medicaid program, is eyeing 6 percent cuts to what it pays physicians and hospitals. Nursing homes face 1 percent cuts [CNHI]. 'Sometimes you’ve got to be a little extreme': Grimes teachers get school supplies thanks to 'panhandling' colleague: A Tulsa woman known as the “Panhandling Teacher” donated $3,000 in school supplies to her colleagues at Grimes Elementary School on Tuesday, a small part of the money she has raised since her cause went viral on social media. Last July, third-grade Grimes teacher Teresa Danks stood on 193rd East Avenue with a sign that read: “Teacher Needs School Supplies, Anything Helps.” The response was immediate and positive [Tulsa World]. However you count it, Oklahoma’s per pupil education funding is way down [OK Policy].

qotd 11/29/17

“It sounds like a lot of money because it is a lot of money. The days of bailing wire and pliers are over. We have to fund this agency properly. This budget represents exactly what our needs are.”

– Oklahoma Department of Corrections Director Joe Allbaugh, after the state Board of Corrections voted to submit a budget request of $1.5 billion, roughly triple its current state appropriation (Source)

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$63.50

Federal spending per capita on the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in Oklahoma in FY 2016

Source: Pew Trusts

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In The Know: For second year, state corrections board requests more than $1 billion in state funding

In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Click here to subscribe to In The Know and see past editions.

Today In The News

For second year, state corrections board requests more than $1 billion in state funding: The Oklahoma Board of Corrections on Tuesday approved a budget request of more than $1.5 billion to fund employee pay raises, two new prisons and a host of other improvements at state prison facilities. Approval of the department’s requested fiscal year 2019 budget, which is more than a billion dollars higher than the $485 million appropriated by the Legislature for this fiscal year, comes as Gov. Mary Fallin’s office prepares to call a second special Legislative session to fill this fiscal year’s budget hole [The Frontier]. Oklahoma’s prisons are still on a path to disaster [OK Policy].

‘Lagging uncertainty’ wreaking havoc with health care: The Oklahoma Legislature’s failure to pass a long-term, sustainable budget is making it difficult for doctors, hospitals and nursing homes, medical advocates say. Without a legislative plan to fund Medicaid, health care providers are now bracing for the latest round of proposed reimbursement rate reductions slated to take effect Jan. 1. The state’s Health Care Authority, which runs the Medicaid program, is eyeing 6 percent cuts to what it pays physicians and hospitals. Nursing homes face 1 percent cuts [CNHI].

'Sometimes you’ve got to be a little extreme': Grimes teachers get school supplies thanks to 'panhandling' colleague: A Tulsa woman known as the “Panhandling Teacher” donated $3,000 in school supplies to her colleagues at Grimes Elementary School on Tuesday, a small part of the money she has raised since her cause went viral on social media. Last July, third-grade Grimes teacher Teresa Danks stood on 193rd East Avenue with a sign that read: “Teacher Needs School Supplies, Anything Helps.” The response was immediate and positive [Tulsa World]. However you count it, Oklahoma’s per pupil education funding is way down [OK Policy]. 

Tax break to wealthy Oklahomans won't be challenged: A state commission has voted to continue a tax break that cost the state $465 million in five years, can’t be shown to be helping the Oklahoma economy and overwhelmingly benefits the rich. The Oklahoma Incentive Evaluation Commission was created with the responsibility for making sure the state’s tax incentives are working for the state. But when the commission met recently, it wasn’t willing to approve its own consultant’s recommendation to do something about the state capital gains tax exemption [Editorial Writers / Tulsa World]. Lawmakers should heed the advice of the experts and act quickly to repeal this expensive and inefficient tax break [OK Policy].

Watchdog Sues State Officials To Force Release Of Tar Creek Corruption Probe: A watchdog group is suing two state officials to force them to hand over documents related to corruption allegations at the Tar Creek Superfund site in northeastern Oklahoma. Washington, D.C.-based Campaign for Accountability requested documents related to a 2011 investigation of the Lead-Impacted Communities Relocation Trust, a public trust set up with government money to buy contaminated properties and relocate residents near the abandoned lead and zinc mine [StateImpact Oklahoma].

How special are special sessions for the Oklahoma Legislature? As the Church Lady might say, “Well, hasn’t this been special?” With the passing of one desultory “extraordinary session” of the 56th Oklahoma Legislature and the prospect of another looming, the citizenry is becoming more familiar than it would probably like with the peculiar legislative procedure commonly known as the special session. There have been 86 legislative days in 2017, more than usual for recent years, but nowhere near the 160-day first regular session of the First Legislature, which after all had to write an entire set of laws for the new state [Tulsa World]. Frequently asked questions about Oklahoma’s special session [OK Policy].

OK sheriffs' arrangement worthy of second look: As lawmakers who favor criminal justice reform look for ways to improve Oklahoma's system, they should review a program that's enriching one group while further burdening those trying to get back on their feet after serving time. The Oklahoman's Nolan Clay reported Sunday on how the Oklahoma Sheriffs' Association has made more than $4 million for its part in collecting overdue fines, court costs and fees in criminal cases [Editorial Board / The Oklahoman]. Tens of thousands of Oklahomans enter the justice system each year and come out with thousands of dollars in legal financial obligations [OK Policy].

DOC wants more privacy for the agency, private contractors: Oklahoma Department of Corrections officials started drafts on legislation they plan to request during the 2018 session, some of which would grant more privacy to agency officials as well as companies that build and administer private prisons. One bill would create some leeway for the agency within the Oklahoma Open Meetings Act, and the other within Oklahoma Open Records Act [Journal Record].

TPS forced to cope with speech language pathologist shortage: Tulsa Public Schools has been grappling with the flight of teachers seeking higher wages for years. The district is now also seeing the attrition rates climb for a small, specialized group of workers integral to its operations: speech language pathologists. TPS had 40 speech-language pathologists, or SLP positions, last school year, according to an employee database from 2016-17 school year. Twelve pathologists who appear in that database don’t appear in a 2017-18 database [Tulsa World].

Republican Ross Ford sworn in to serve House District 76: Republican Ross Ford of Broken Arrow was sworn in Tuesday to represent House District 76. He will serve the unexpired term of David Brumbaugh, 56, a Broken Arrow Republican who died unexpectedly in April while the Legislature was in session. Ford defeated Democrat Chris VanLandingham in a Nov. 14 special election to take the seat. Ford, 57, said being elected was a big honor [Tulsa World].

University of Central Oklahoma ranked in Top 10 of Military Times Best: Colleges 2018: The University of Central Oklahoma has been recognized for its dedication to veterans for the third consecutive year, landing in the Top 10 of The Military Times' list of best four-year colleges and universities for student veterans and active military. UCO jumped from No. 21 to No. 10 on The Military Times Best: Colleges 2018 list [NewsOK].

City teams with Gallup Poll to measure city's vitality: Mayor G.T. Bynum and Gallup Inc. announced the creation of the Gallup-Tulsa CitiVoice Index on Tuesday. The initiative will measure 45 indicators of overall city vitality, according to a news release from the city. “The Gallup-Tulsa CitiVoice Index will measure the most important outcomes for city residents and provide local leaders with insights we can use in building the best city possible,” Bynum said [Tulsa World].

Court: Special licenses for sex offenders OK: A federal court has ruled that Oklahoma can include aggravated sex offender status on driver licenses. The 2007 state law allows for the note to be included on driver licenses in red letters three places on the license. Ray Carney, who was convicted of sexually abusing a child, filed the lawsuit. He is scheduled for release in 2018 and must register as a sex offender [NewsOK].

Sen. Lankford faces tax cut questions as he releases his annual 'Federal Fumbles' list: Sen. James Lankford’s Monday release of his annual ”Federal Fumbles” list of what he says is mismanaged and misguided spending turned into a quiz session about his position on tax cuts. During a streamed press conference, reporters repeatedly asked Lankford about the Senate’s evolving tax reform package and whether he will vote for it. “I would very much like to support it, but we have to get some things worked out,” Lankford said [Tulsa World]. As the Senate prepares to take up its version of a tax policy bill, with the potential of a vote by week’s end, Republicans look about eight votes short [FiveThirtyEight].  The Congressional tax plan would take Oklahoma’s budget mess national [OK Policy].

Oklahoma voters angry at status quo shock the establishment by electing liberal lesbian: Doc Lee talks and votes like a conservative red stater. The mechanical engineer, 41, a former Marine, has voted for GOP candidates in most elections. A year ago, he voted for Donald Trump "because I wanted an outsider." But in a Nov. 14 special election here, he said he voted for Allison Ikley-Freeman, an unknown Democrat who was running for the vacant state Senate District 37 seat long held by Republicans - in a district that went for Trump by 40 points [Houston Chronicle].

Quote of the Day

“It sounds like a lot of money because it is a lot of money. The days of bailing wire and pliers are over. We have to fund this agency properly. This budget represents exactly what our needs are.”

- Oklahoma Department of Corrections Director Joe Allbaugh, after the state Board of Corrections voted to submit a budget request of $1.5 billion, roughly triple its current state appropriation (Source)

Number of the Day

$63.50

Federal spending per capita on the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in Oklahoma in FY 2016

Source: Pew Trusts

See previous Numbers of the Day here.

Policy Note

Kids with School Lunch Debt Still Face Lunch-Shaming, Despite Outrage: When New Mexico passed the first comprehensive law banning lunch shaming last April, the state made visible what anti-hunger advocates, school food professionals, and lower-income families have known for decades: Children with school-meal debt can be stigmatized in the cafeteria. If social media is any guide, the idea of singling out kids with unpaid balances—by making them do chores, denying them a meal, serving them a cold cheese sandwich, or stamping their arms or hands—has been met with almost universal disapproval. And while the recent coverage has lead to an apparent uptick in private philanthropy efforts to cover families’ meal debt—including one to honor Philando Castile’s legacy by paying off the lunch debt at his school—the question remains: Has the moral outrage by politicians, celebrities, and ordinary citizens done anything to meaningfully curb lunch shaming? [Civil Eats]

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Last Chance: Support Better Information, Better Policy on #GivingTuesday

View this email in your browser. #GivingTuesday is almost over and you still have a chance to support "better information and better policy" by donating to Oklahoma Policy Institute. To make your #GivingTuesday donation for #ABetterOklahoma, click here. Special thanks to those people who have already participated in supporting our work through donations and words of support. Below are some of the impactful statements OK Policy supporters shared with us today: "I really appreciate OKPolicy.org because I feel as if I have an insiders position to what's going on in Oklahoma government. I am a disabled, older person living on Social Security. Needless to say this latest budget battle had me concerned. If not for the numerous programs for the elderly here in OK, I would be unable to survive. Being able to know what was transpiring in the capital eased my mind. Thank goodness the governor did not veto the programs that make it possible for me to live here in the state. I watched with bated breath as the story unfolded on OKPolicy. I certainly did not want to move to another state so I wouldn't have to decide whether to eat or take my medicine. Thank you so much for keeping me informed." "There is no better source of accurate timely important information about our state budget and policies. The Snows are monthly contributors and urge all who can to do the same." "OK Policy provides a wealth of research and analysis showing a better future is possible for Oklahoma." "I support OK Policy because they make important (and sometimes complicated) information about our state accessible and understandable." "I support the Oklahoma Policy Institute because you can rely on its research. I have heard people say that, even if you don’t agree with its conclusions, you can’t argue with Oklahoma Policy Institute’s research. I am a sustaining supporter and hope to make an additional gift before the end of this year." OK Policy and YOU will continue to make #ABetterOklahoma TOGETHER! Donate today! Best, OK Policy Team Connect with Us Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S Detroit Ave, Suite 1005 Tulsa, OK 74120 (918) 794-3944 info@okpolicy.org Unsubscribe

Rick Snyder says, "OK Policy provides a wealth of research and analysis showing a better future is possible for Oklahoma." Thank you, Rick, for your kind words on this #GivingTuesday! #ABetterOklahoma

Rick Snyder says, "OK Policy provides a wealth of research and analysis showing a better future is possible for Oklahoma." Thank you, Rick, for your kind words on this #GivingTuesday! #ABetterOklahoma

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Our statewide meeting is only 2 days away and you can join from anywhere!

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Dear Friend, Together Oklahoma members all over the state will gather in person and via video conference on Thursday, November 30th from 5:30-7:30 PM. If you can make it to the events in Norman, Tulsa, Stillwater, or OKC to join us in person, please do and let us know if you'd like to volunteer to help with the event by emailing events@togetherok.org If you can't join us in person,you can still join us using our favorite new tool, called Zoom. Zoom lets us connect 100 different computers via the internet. Simply fill out this form to let me know you would like to be included in the statewide video conference. There are only 100 slots available using Zoom, and we'd really like to have as many people there as possible so if you can invite a few friends to share a screen and join the Zoom with you, that would be great! If you are in Norman, Tulsa, Stillwater, or OKC, join us at these locations on Thursday, November 30th from 5:30-7:30 PM. Norman: Norman Public Library, Room A/B, 225 N. Webster OKC: The Paseo Plunge, 3010 Paseo Tulsa: Martin Regional Library, 2601 S. Garnett Rd. Stillwater: Stillwater Public Library, Room 202, 1107 S Duck St This is the essential work that will build our positive influence on the legislators who can make or break our state. Please don't sit this one out. I look forward to seeing you there! KJ

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[In The Know] Lawmakers debate future of 25-year-old tax law

View this email in your browser. In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Click here to subscribe to In The Know and see past editions. Today In The News Lawmakers debate future of 25-year-old tax law: As lawmakers continue to struggle to find enough consensus to raise new revenue, a growing number of legislators say it might be time to ask voters to consider overhauling a law passed a quarter century ago. State Sen. Kim David, R-Porter, is among the lawmakers who believes it’s time for Oklahomans to consider modernizing the 25-year-old law requiring the approval of three-quarters of lawmakers to raise new taxes. The measure also prohibits lawmakers from raising taxes in the final week of session [CNHI]. It’s time to revisit State Question 640 [Rep. Marcus McEntire / OK Policy]. What supporters of SQ 640 didn’t foresee [OK Policy]. The Red-State Revolt Spreads to Oklahoma: Republicans have a vise grip on power in Oklahoma, and they are in no imminent danger of losing it. In a state that gave 65 percent of its vote to Donald Trump a year ago, the GOP controls pretty much everything: the governorship and every statewide office, both U.S. Senate seats, all five House seats. The state legislature is almost laughably one-sided; Republicans have super-majorities of more than 70 percent of the seats in each chamber. But in the last four months, voters have repudiated those Republicans running in Oklahoma at the polls [The Atlantic]. Governor’s orders fail to sway far-right legislators: When Gov. Mary Fallin announced a few executive orders that would enact some conservative financial policies, she said her intent was in part to bring some of the right-most lawmakers into the fold during her push for more revenue. However, some of the faction’s most vocal members said they still oppose tax hikes, and some called the orders insulting. When Fallin held a press conference to discuss the executive orders, she said that several people argued during the special legislative session that the state needed to look into promoting efficiency and cost-saving measures before raising taxes [Journal Record]. Frequently asked questions about Oklahoma’s special session [OK Policy].

Qotd 11/28/2017

“I understand why 640 was passed, and I appreciate why it was passed. I would like to see the threshold lowered a little. Something a little more reasonable because obviously not another tax increase has ever been passed by this body since then.”

– Sen. Kim David (R-Porter), explaining the need to reconsider State Question 640, which requires a three-quarters majority in both legislative chambers or a vote of the people to approve revenue-raising measures (Source)

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62.6%

Percentage of eligible children enrolled in Head Start in Oklahoma

Source: OK State Stat

The post 62.6% appeared first on Oklahoma Policy Institute.

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In The Know: Lawmakers debate future of 25-year-old tax law

In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Click here to subscribe to In The Know and see past editions.

Today In The News

Lawmakers debate future of 25-year-old tax law: As lawmakers continue to struggle to find enough consensus to raise new revenue, a growing number of legislators say it might be time to ask voters to consider overhauling a law passed a quarter century ago. State Sen. Kim David, R-Porter, is among the lawmakers who believes it’s time for Oklahomans to consider modernizing the 25-year-old law requiring the approval of three-quarters of lawmakers to raise new taxes. The measure also prohibits lawmakers from raising taxes in the final week of session [CNHI]. It’s time to revisit State Question 640 [Rep. Marcus McEntire / OK Policy]. What supporters of SQ 640 didn’t foresee [OK Policy].

The Red-State Revolt Spreads to Oklahoma: Republicans have a vise grip on power in Oklahoma, and they are in no imminent danger of losing it. In a state that gave 65 percent of its vote to Donald Trump a year ago, the GOP controls pretty much everything: the governorship and every statewide office, both U.S. Senate seats, all five House seats. The state legislature is almost laughably one-sided; Republicans have super-majorities of more than 70 percent of the seats in each chamber. But in the last four months, voters have repudiated those Republicans running in Oklahoma at the polls [The Atlantic].

Governor’s orders fail to sway far-right legislators: When Gov. Mary Fallin announced a few executive orders that would enact some conservative financial policies, she said her intent was in part to bring some of the right-most lawmakers into the fold during her push for more revenue. However, some of the faction’s most vocal members said they still oppose tax hikes, and some called the orders insulting. When Fallin held a press conference to discuss the executive orders, she said that several people argued during the special legislative session that the state needed to look into promoting efficiency and cost-saving measures before raising taxes [Journal Record]. Frequently asked questions about Oklahoma’s special session [OK Policy].

This Republican Senator Just Called His Party’s Bluff on Tax Cuts: Republicans are ideologically committed to slashing taxes on the wealthy and corporations. And they’re politically prohibited from raising taxes on most middle-class families, cutting defense spending, or reducing entitlement benefits. In practice, this means that radically increasing the national debt is a core pillar of the GOP’s economic agenda. Of course, Republicans spent the past decade claiming the very opposite [New York Magazine]. How Oklahomans would fare under the Congressional GOP tax plan [OK Policy].

New report examines reforms to rebuild trust between law enforcement and communities in Oklahoma: Today, OK Policy released a report, “Strategies for Building Trust Between Law Enforcement and Communities in Oklahoma,” that details the challenges facing Oklahoma law enforcement and proposes a menu of reforms that have shown promise in addressing those challenges in jurisdictions across the country. By reforming policies regarding use-of-force and the treatment of race in policing, improving and broadening training procedures, and striving to hire officers that reflect the diversity of our communities, agencies can help to build trust with the communities they serve [OK Policy].

No. 1 for 25 years. And it's an embarrassment: Oklahoma has been No. 1 for 25 years. Unfortunately, it has nothing to do with sports and everything to do with how many women we put in prison. Oklahoma’s incarceration of women has become another of those embarrassing statistics that plague this state. A Nov. 12 article by the Tulsa World’s Ginnie Graham vividly points out the problems and the heartbreaking realization that there is little hope that things will get better [Editorial Board / Tulsa World].

State of Emergency: Neglected Oklahoma warns of a state on the brink of social collapse: As social justice advocate Camille Landry was sitting in her car waiting to speak to Red Dirt Report about her new book Neglected Oklahoma, she heard over the radio about another school shooting in California. “It just utterly broke my heart,” Landry said. “This is a sick nation. Our bitterness, our anger, our desperation, our selfishness, our greed, our unwillingness to be a community for each other…it all has ripples that go far beyond just cutting off the limit for food stamps or eliminating Section 8 housing programs.” [Red Dirt Report] You can order a copy of Neglected Oklahoma here.

Preliminary Review: Income tax petition for education funding doesn't have enough legal signatures: A preliminary review has determined that a petition regarding an income tax to increase education funding does not have enough legal signatures to trigger a public vote, Oklahoma City officials announced Monday. The petition, which was filed Nov. 9, calls for a half-percent income tax on most Oklahoma City residents to raise money for annual stipends for teachers, resident-teachers, school nurses and support personnel at local public schools. The tax would expire after four years and not be levied on low-income residents [KOCO].

Do Oklahoma superintendents make too much money? Gov. Mary Fallin wants to make public schools more efficient by cutting administrative costs, although many superintendents in Oklahoma are critical of that move. On top of that, superintendents say their schools’ budgets have already been cut too much. Dr. Pam Deering, executive director of the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration, said long-term funding for public schools is the key -- not cutting administrative costs, as Fallin’s executive order calls for -- to make public schools more efficient [KOCO]. If Oklahoma somehow moved every dollar that we spend on district administration into instruction, our funding ranking wouldn’t improve by a single state [OK Policy].

Oklahoma election date on medical marijuana remains hazy: Gov. Mary Fallin has yet to set a date for a statewide vote on medical marijuana, and some groups are now pushing for the measure to be placed on the June 2018 primary ballot. The state could vote on State Question 788 in either the June primary or the November general election. The confusion over the date of the vote has been exacerbated by a leadership dispute at Oklahomans for Health, once the lead proponent behind SQ 788 [NewsOK]. How does SQ 788 compare to other states’ medical marijuana laws? [OK Policy]

Authorities announce new Highway Patrol chief after current chief retires: State officials announced Monday the promotion of an Oklahoma Highway Patrol major to chief of patrol after the current chief announced his retirement. Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety said in a news release that, effective Friday, Maj. Michael S. Harrell will be the chief of patrol, replacing Ricky Adams [Tulsa World].

Quote of the Day

“I understand why 640 was passed, and I appreciate why it was passed. I would like to see the threshold lowered a little. Something a little more reasonable because obviously not another tax increase has ever been passed by this body since then.”

- Sen. Kim David (R-Porter), explaining the need to reconsider State Question 640, which requires a three-quarters majority in both legislative chambers or a vote of the people to approve revenue-raising measures (Source)

Number of the Day

62.6%

Percentage of eligible children enrolled in Head Start in Oklahoma

Source: OK State Stat

See previous Numbers of the Day here.

Policy Note

The Geography of Desperation: It’s not just the economic gap between the rich and poor that has grown wider: America has seen an overlapping, and even more troubling, gap in desperation across class as well as racial and ethnic lines. Much has been made of America’s deepening opioid crisis, especially among rural and working-class whites. A recent Brookings Institution study pinpoints where poor Americans are feeling desperation the most across the country as a whole [CityLab].

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The post In The Know: Lawmakers debate future of 25-year-old tax law appeared first on Oklahoma Policy Institute.

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OK Policy director David Blatt will be discussing the state budget this evening at 7:00 at the Tulsa Downtown library. All welcome!

OK Policy director David Blatt will be discussing the state budget this evening at 7:00 at the Tulsa Downtown library. All welcome!

State of the State: OK Budget and Policy Address and Discussion

Sponsored by: Teach For America, Tulsa Alumni Board
Keynote Speaker: David Blatt, OK Policy Institute
RSVP: http://bit.ly/StateoftheStateRSVP
Location: Central Library - Greadington Room

Is Oklahoma’s budget equitable and sustainable?
Is a teacher pay raise a fiscal reality?
Who is affected by the most recent budget proposal?
Why is Oklahoma’s special session still happening?
How can I get involved in Oklahoma’s policy landscape?

If you want an answer to any of these questions, come to the TFA Alumni Board's State of the State with David Blatt, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Policy Institute! Join us for light snacks from Whole Foods and a conversation and presentation about all things state policy. This event is open to current TFA corps members, alumni and members of the Tulsa community!

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