What Gifts Did Your Legislator Receive?
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Explore our searchable, sortable database showing all reported lobbyist gifts and meals for legislators and other officials.
State Ethics Rules Often Hide Sources of Lobbyists’ Gifts, Meals
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An Oklahoma Watch review of thousands of gifts and meal purchases in 2017 found it’s impossible to confirm who was bankrolling efforts to influence policymakers for a quarter of the record-setting amount that lobbyists spent on legislators and other state officials last session.
After Cigarette Fee Ruling, What Will the Legislature Do Next?
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Thursday’s state Supreme Court ruling creates a $214 million shortfall. Lawmakers could consider these four options over the coming days and weeks.
Questions Linger on Dismissal of Charges in Hofmeister Case
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Just as suddenly as they appeared in November, criminal charges against Oklahoma schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister disappeared last week. And the reasons remain a mystery.
In Defense of Revenue Bills, State Mounts Technicalities Argument
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Two of the three court challenges seeking to overturn $343 million worth of revenue bills passed in the waning days of the legislative session could face a quick demise if the state has it way.
Oklahoma Watch Study: Oil, Gas Output Plummets Before Taxes Rise
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An Oklahoma Watch analysis of more than 3,000 horizontal wells shows that more than half of a typical well’s projected lifetime oil and gas production will occur during its first three years, when it is taxed at a much lower rate.
Oil Industry Group Finds Production Decline Less Steep
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An oil industry group’s analysis of oil and gas production in a highly active areas of northwest Oklahoma has found a less steep decline over three years than a statewide study by Oklahoma Watch.
A Deeper Dive into Reasons the Budget Plan Could Be Upended in Court
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In the final days, legislators approved three key revenue bills, saying they passed muster with the state constitution. But lawmakers’ earlier comments may put those bills at risk of being overturned in court, which would throw the state back into a budget crisis.
Winners and Losers in the Battle Over the Budget
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In one of the wildest sessions in recent memory, the state Legislature passed its 2018 budget and adjourned. The budget, which Gov. Mary Fallin is expected to sign, will have real-life ramifications for just about every state agency.
Republicans’ Budget Strategy Becoming Clearer
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As the 2017 legislative session enters its final phase, House GOP leaders’ strategies to bridge the $878 million shortfall are slowly coming into focus.