Budget Briefing: Income Tax Cut Not a Priority This Year, Says Conservative Think Tank

Conservative Group to Scale Back Income Tax Attack in Oklahoma – “A proposal to cut the state’s top personal income tax rate by more than half and eventually eliminate it won’t be a priority again next year by a conservative think tank, which made it the centerpiece of its legislative agenda this year, a policy impact director with the group said Wednesday.” NewsOK.com

Federal Government Says Hobby Lobby Cannot Raise Religious Objections to Insurance Requirements – “The federal government is asking a judge to rule against Hobby Lobby, which does not want to provide employees insurance coverage for “abortion-causing drugs and devices” because of the owners’ religious beliefs.” NewsOK.com

Vision2 Hampers Cities, Critic Says at Debate – “Cities should “cut out the middle man” and pursue their own visions rather than voters approving the $748.8 million Tulsa County Vision2 tax proposal, an opponent of the effort said Wednesday.” Tulsa World

EMSA Still Drawing Criticism for Nonbidding of Contracts – “Despite a city review’s criticism of EMSA for not using a competitive process in choosing contractors, the agency continues to sign contracts without seeking competing proposals, records show.” Tulsa World

Oklahoma College Students Have Eighth-Lowest Average Debt, Report Says – “Oklahoma’s college students carry the eighth lowest average student debt, according to a new report.” NewsOK.com