| Fact Sheet: Property taxes are vital to the health of local government in Oklahoma Property taxes are essential for Oklahoma's local communities. Also referred to as ad valorem taxes, they pay for the basics we all count on—public schools, safe roads, and reliable police and fire protection. Unlike other taxes, property taxes go straight to local needs, keeping our towns and counties strong and vibrant. Oklahoma has some of the nation's lowest property taxes, with state law already providing protections for homeowners, especially seniors and disabled veterans. [Aanahita Irani Ervin / OK Policy] |
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| Paying property taxes: What's in it for me? (Commentary) At a time when calls for property tax cuts dominate headlines and dinner table debates, more people are asking a simple question: What's in it for me? It's a fair question. Why should I pay for services I don't use, schools my family doesn't attend, or roads I rarely drive? The short answer: taxes are less about what I use today and more about the kind of community I want for tomorrow. My taxes – including property taxes – are not just bills. They are investments in safety, stability, and the unspoken promise of what we owe the next generation. [Dave Hamby / OK Policy] |
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Senate plan would shift $254 million to schools by capping teacher retirement funding (Capitol Update) Senator Adam Pugh, R-Edmond — with the support of Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle — made an interesting proposal for increasing common school funding by $254 million next year. The plan sets a $200 million cap on earmarked revenue for the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS). Based on current law, TRS is projected to receive $454 million next year in revenue, which is taken "off the top" before it reaches the general revenue fund. The $200 million cap would enable $254 million to go to the general revenue fund for legislative appropriation. [Steve Lewis / OK Policy] |
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| Thank for making our Day of Action a huge success! Our 2026 Day of Action brought more than 200 advocates from across Oklahoma to the State Capitol — and you really showed up! Thank you for bringing your voice, your stories, and your community to the table. This is how change happens. Never miss an event — Subscribe to updates from OK Policy and Together OK. |
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Ad Valorem Exemptions (Property Tax Exemptions) Oklahoma provides partial or full exemptions from ad valorem taxes (property taxes) for various categories of homeowners: - All homesteads (a person's primary residence) are exempted $1,000 of the assessed value.
- Households with gross income under $30,000 for the prior calendar year are entitled to an additional $1,000 homestead exemption. The limit was raised from $20,000 as of January 2024.
- Property values are frozen for seniors whose gross household income is at or below the median of their county or metropolitan area (SQ 714). In July 2022, three Republican House members announced an initiative petition (SQ 822) that would have frozen property values for all seniors regardless of income; however, signatures were not submitted by the deadline.
- Seniors with income below $12,000 may claim a credit against income tax in the amount that their property tax exceeds 1 percent of total income, up to $200.
- Seniors with income under $10,000 who reside in manufactured homes are allowed a $2,000 exemption.
- An honorably discharged veteran who is 100 percent disabled, or a surviving spouse of a veteran killed while in active duty, is fully exempted from ad valorem taxes for his or her homestead (SQ 715).
Look up more key terms to understand Oklahoma politics and government here. |
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"It's time that we be honest with the voters. It's time that we look at voters in the face and stop telling them that taxes are so bad for them." —Mike Fina, executive director of the Oklahoma Municipal League, pushing back on proposals to freeze or cap property taxes and arguing that the conversation around taxation should focus on whether public revenues are sufficient to fund essential local services like infrastructure, public safety, and community programs. [The Oklahoman] |
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Opinion: Working Oklahomans don't have time for political theater Working families don't have time for political theater. They're trying to make payroll. They're trying to raise their kids. They're trying to run a business or hold down a job. They want stability. They want predictability. They want someone to listen before decisions are made that affect their lives. But many look at what's happening at the Capitol and feel like they're watching a performance. They're hearing that everything is going well. We're leading the nation in this or that. Things couldn't be better. [Former State Representative Mark McBride / The Oklahoman] |
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15% - More than 100 million Americans will likely vote in the 2026 general election, but only an estimated 15% of voters will cast a meaningful vote in deciding who gets elected. Most races will be decided in low-turnout primaries. [Unite America] $12.17 billion - The total authorized budget for Fiscal Year 2027, which begins July 1, 2027. This represents a $571 million decrease (4.5%) from the Oklahoma Legislature's expenditure authority in June 2025. [Oklahoma Board of Equalization – February 2026] 68% - The share of Oklahoma property tax revenue that went to fund public schools in 2019. Property taxes are the single largest local funding source for education across the state. [Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector] 0 - As of 2025, there is no county or metro area in the country where a minimum-wage worker is paid enough to meet the requirements of their local family budget on their wages alone. [Economic Policy Institute] |
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The Effect of Open Primaries on Turnout and Representation: Open and nonpartisan primaries tend to produce more representative electorates than closed primaries. Voter turnout increases when states allow unaffiliated voters to participate in primaries for the first time, and the electorate grows more demographically and politically representative. [Bipartisan Policy Center] | [Read the Report] States That Raised Revenue Offer Brighter Roadmap for Others: Several states have recently raised new revenues instead of cutting taxes, allowing them to protect and expand investments in priorities like schools, child care, housing, transportation, and paid leave. These approaches show how stronger tax systems can help states respond to rising costs and fiscal pressures while supporting families and communities. By contrast, tax cuts can weaken state budgets and limit the ability to maintain essential services, especially during economic downturns. States that prioritize sustainable revenue sources — particularly from higher-income households and corporations — are better positioned to maintain services and invest in long-term prosperity. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities] Untargeted Property Tax Cuts and Limits Shortchange Schools and Local Economies: Untargeted property tax cuts — such as broad rate reductions or caps on local taxing ability — often shift the tax burden away from wealthier homeowners while undermining local budgets for essential services. These policies can force communities to slash funding for schools, infrastructure, and other public goods, or resort to more regressive revenue sources. A more balanced approach relies on targeted relief (like income-based credits or circuit breakers), more equitable assessments, and preserving local fiscal flexibility to maintain service levels. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities] EPI's updated Family Budget Calculator shows that higher minimum wages are needed in states like Oklahoma to afford the cost of living: EPI's updated Family Budget Calculator shows how much income it takes to afford basic expenses in every metro area and county across the United States in 2025. The Family Budget Calculator can be used to assess a living-wage level and shows that states like Oklahoma need a higher minimum wage. The state's minimum wage falls short by over $12 an hour in meeting a one-person budget in the state's lowest cost county. [Economic Policy Institute] |
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What's up this week at Oklahoma Policy Institute? The Weekly Wonk shares our most recent publications and other resources to help you stay informed about Oklahoma. Numbers of the Day and Policy Notes are from our daily news briefing, In The Know. Click here to subscribe to In The Know. |
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