Oklahomans We’ve Lost: A dedicated nurse who threw Halloween parties and cared for rescue dogs
“She loved helping everybody.”
Budget cuts have reduced access to social services in some of Oklahoma’s poorest communities
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services permanently shuttered dozens of offices over the last year in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and state budget cuts. The move left schools and law enforcement to fill the gaps in some rural parts of the state.
The Oklahoma Legislature will raise hospital fees to fund Medicaid expansion
Displeased by hospitals’ support for Medicaid expansion, some Republicans believe increased fees should start before available federal funds are used up.
Updates from the state Capitol – Corporate, personal income tax cuts included in $8.3 billion state budget
Once fully implemented, the tax cuts would eliminate an estimated $280 million in annual tax revenue for the state.
Oklahoma House leaders intend to fund privatized Medicaid if the Senate doesn’t approve a bill to halt the plan
Some lawmakers said they weren’t willing to use the budget as a lever to stop managed care.
Cutting Oklahoma’s corporate or personal income taxes this year looks increasingly unlikely
On the heels of the pandemic and amid concerns about the millions of dollars in education funding that would have to be replaced, Senate Republicans have halted plans to cut taxes.
Two new hurdles make the initiative petition process more stringent in Oklahoma
Lawmakers pushed through two bills as part of Republican backlash to voter mandates on Medicaid expansion, medical marijuana and criminal justice reform.
Oklahoma hopes coronavirus relief money will help slow a coming tide of evictions, homelessness
Oklahoma has $289 million in rental assistance and grants as a federal moratorium on evictions draws to an end.
