Policy Matters: The myth of Oklahoma’s fiscal self

Oklahoma prides itself on being lean and self-reliant, living within its means while others spend recklessly. But the numbers tell a different story. In truth, billions in federal dollars — much of it from taxpayers in other states — prop up Oklahoma’s finances. For every dollar Oklahoma taxpayers send to Washington, we get back $1.91 . That’s not rugged individualism; that’s a subsidy. And it means that the hard fiscal choices some of our leaders brag about are possible only because someone else is footing the bill.

The myth resurfaced after a recent online spat between Gov. Kevin Stitt and California Gov. Gavin Newsom . Stitt celebrated legislation that intends to bring our state income tax to zero through automatic tax cuts . Newsom replied that Oklahoma only affords such moves