NewsPolicy
Small-business optimism slips in August as economic expectations cool
NFIB’s national index remained above its historical average, while 35% of surveyed owners reported job openings they could not fill.
Category: Issues Affecting Oklahomans
NewsPolicy
U.S. adds 162,000 jobs as unemployment holds at 4.1%
August hiring outpaced the average monthly gain over the previous year, with growth in restaurants, local government education, and manufacturing.
NewsPolicy
State Regents approve four reduced-credit bachelor’s degrees
New programs at OU, OSU, and Rogers State University will require between 90 and 103 credit hours, compared with the traditional minimum of 120.
NewsPolicy
Tidwell urges permitting reform in Tulsa World op-ed
The AFP-Oklahoma director argued that federal delays threaten Oklahoma energy investment and ultimately raise costs for consumers.
NewsPolicy
LOFT finds gaps in Oklahoma child care subsidy safeguards
Oklahoma’s program is unlikely to experience large-scale coordinated fraud, but a legislative review identified weaknesses in attendance tracking, eligibility verification, unpaid copayments, and the state’s response when fraud occurs.
NewsPolicy
Stitt creates council to advise Oklahoma on federal beef-import policy
The council will recommend steps to protect cattle producers and strengthen an industry that includes 4.65 million cattle and calves statewide.
NewsPolicy
Treasurer releases July economic report showing balanced growth, cooling economy
The report showed higher sales and use tax collections, continued manufacturing expansion, and a resilient labor market alongside signs of slower economic growth.
NewsPolicy
State Chamber Survey: Oklahomans value teen work, early job opportunities
New data shows strong support for part-time and summer jobs for teenagers as voters prepare to decide SQ 832.
NewsPolicy
State Chamber: Drummond filing threatens Oklahoma’s ability to win transformational projects
The State Chamber said Oklahoma can protect clean air and water without allowing political gamesmanship to undermine major advanced manufacturing and national-security investments.
NewsPolicy
Greater Enid Chamber board expresses opposition SQ 832
The chamber cited concerns about automatic inflation-based increases, eliminated exemptions and the measure’s potential impact on small businesses and regional communities.