Economic Development

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

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June 29, 2017

Trump’s Trillion Dollar Infrastructure Promise Has Broad Appeal And Big Challenges

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, promoted investment in infrastructure in a day-long tour that included a stop at the Frederick Regional Airport.

A cornerstone of President Trump’s campaign and presidency is a $1 trillion proposal to rebuild U.S. infrastructure. The promise is a popular one, and could find bipartisan support across the country and in Congress. The infrastructure needs in Oklahoma illustrate why this issue is so appealing — and challenging.

April 20, 2017

Legislature Approves Measure to Lure Healthier Grocery Options to Fill Oklahoma Food Deserts

Geary, Oklahoma, Family Dollar manager Jacquie Hogue running the register in her store.

Scarcity is most severe in regions known as food deserts, where going to the grocery store often means taking a road trip. But new legislation awaiting the governor’s signature could bring more healthy food to areas that need it.

April 16, 2015

The Murrah Bombing’s Role In Oklahoma City’s Downtown Renaissance

Bill Mihas, owner of Coney Island in downtown Oklahoma since the late 1970s.

Downtown OKC is a far different, and much better place than it was in April 1995.

May 30, 2014

StateImpact on OETA: Possible Lawsuit Over Recently Signed Drilling Incentive

I was on Oklahoma News Report last week to discuss the controversial tax incentive for oil and gas drilling, which Gov. Mary Fallin signed on May 28. The bill is likely to draw a legal challenge from an Oklahoma City attorney, who says it’s a “revenue bill” that was passed without some of the legislative [...]

April 10, 2014

Cast-off State Parks Thrive Under Tribal Control, But Not Without Some Struggle

Rick Geisler, manager of Wah-Sha-She Park in Osage County, stands on the shore of Hula Lake.

When budget cuts led the Oklahoma tourism department to find new homes for seven state parks in 2011, two of them went to Native American tribes.

April 3, 2014

Some Parks Oklahoma Offloaded to Save Money Are Thriving Under Local Control

Mike Hancock has been the manager at Brushy Lake Park since 1980.

In April 2011, Oklahoma was dealing with a half-billion dollar budget shortfall.

March 17, 2014

Federal Government Shutdown Cut Visitation at Oklahoma Park Sites By Half

Dick Duhn, owner of Arbuckle RV Resort, said business was down more than 50 percent during the government shutdown.

Sulphur relies heavily on the tourism revenue it gets as a result of being attached to the Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge.

February 7, 2014

What Oklahomans Need to Know About the Escalating Oil and Gas Tax Debate

A tax credit for horizontal drilling expires next year, and, as we’ve reported, the looming deadline has spurred lawmakers to discuss overall changes to Oklahoma oil and gas taxes. Or, as State Treasurer Ken Miller puts it, an “opportunity to modernize the state’s energy tax policy.” A 7 percent tax is levied on most oil [...]

January 30, 2014

The Legacy and Challenges of a State Question That Shapes Bills Decades Later

When the 2014 legislative session starts Feb. 3, state lawmakers will face more than 2,000 bills and resolutions, and are expected to have $170 million less to spend than last year. They will also be confronted by agency heads, most of which will argue, publicly, for more money. Many of the bills under consideration this [...]

January 14, 2014

The Economic Impact of a Bunch of Thirsty Oklahoma Cows

Cattle is big business in Oklahoma. In 2013, the state ranked No. 5 in total heads of beef cattle — with 4.2 million heads that represent roughly 4.7 percent of the total U.S. cattle inventory, data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show. But years of drought and high market prices are fueling a sell-off, [...]

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