Economic Development

Background

The state’s role in encouraging job creation and economic growth.

Latest Posts

Follow this topic

May 22, 2013

StateImpact is Safe, Sound and Sidetracked

Stella and Jack Howard (left and right) with their daughter, Dawnelaina (center), sit with the remains of their Moore home. The Howards built this house after their last one was destroyed by the May 3, 1999, twister.

Just a quick update: Logan Layden and I are safe and sound. We’ve been sidetracked a bit from our daily StateImpact duties to help local stations and NPR report and cover the aftermath of the Moore tornado. We’ve helped with live reporting, filed stories, and helped document the devastation with photos. We’re working on some in-depth tornado-related [...]

May 13, 2013

Why a Move to Regional Water Planning Could Cause Controversy in Oklahoma

The eight planning regions from the 1995 update of the Comprehensive Water Plan. A ninth region would be created in the panhandle if SB965 becomes law.

White doesn’t like the idea of sparsely populated rural areas having an equal voice when it comes to deciding the best way to use the state’s water.

How Fee Increases Are Outpacing Tax Cuts In Oklahoma

StateImpact reported in April on how difficult practically impossible it is to raise taxes in Oklahoma, and the 1992 state question responsible.

May 2, 2013

American Indian Museum a Proxy in Political Fight over OKC Water Policy

The unfinished American Indian Cultural Center and Museum has become a proxy in a political fight about Oklahoma City's water policy.

Balancing the state’s water needs isn’t just about permits and pipelines. It’s political. And Oklahoma City is a case study in how local water policy can have unintended consequences at the state capitol. The city, state and tribes are wrestling over the $80 million needed to complete the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum, a $150 million project that [...]

April 25, 2013

Norman’s Economic Plan: Giveaway for Businesses, or Step in the Right Direction?

The Norman City Council on Tuesday approved a new economic incentive plan meant to attract businesses and jobs in an 8-1 vote.

April 23, 2013

Fees Attacked By Legislature, But Is It Smart To Cut Off Another Revenue Source?

It’s already nearly impossible to raise taxes in Oklahoma. Now, the legislature is poised to ban raising fees for drivers’ licenses, state parks and other state services, too.

April 11, 2013

Oklahoma’s Crime-Funded Court System

Attorney Chad Moody outside his downtown Oklahoma City office.

It’s the users of the court system, and more specifically the losers, who pay most of those fees, and many question the wisdom of that trend.

April 4, 2013

Tax Break for Big Corporations Could Mean Even Less Money for Oklahoma Schools

Michelle Gentry stands outside her 3rd grade classroom at Madison Elementary School in Norman, Okla.

State Question 766 passed in November 2012, and eliminated the tax on intangible property: business licenses, trade secrets, company logos, things with value beyond their physical traits. Before the election, the state Tax Commission estimated 766 would mean revenue losses of around $30 million for Oklahoma public schools. Five months later, a new estimate predicts [...]

March 4, 2013

Revenue Losses from Intangible Property Tax Break Could Double

In November 2012, Oklahoma voters elected to exempt all intangible property from ad valorem taxation. Among the most vocal opponents of State Question 766 were public school officials, which depend on funding from ad valorem taxes. School administrators warned of the measure’s effect on local school funding. The tax exemption went into effect on Jan. 1, [...]

December 10, 2012

Oklahoma’s Water Future Depends On Cheap, State-Backed Loans

Broken Arrow Engineering Director Kenny Schwab says the city's water currently has to be piped in from 30 miles away.

How important are the Oklahoma Water Resources Board’s financing programs for local water projects across the state? Since 1985, close to $3 billion in low-interest loans have been secured for projects ranging from $80,000 for a water tower in rural Custer County, to $65 million for a new water treatment plant in Broken Arrow. For [...]

About StateImpact

StateImpact seeks to inform and engage local communities with broadcast and online news focused on how state government decisions affect your lives.
Learn More »