It’s getting too expensive in those places, we’re actually starting to get some decent restaurants and bars, and a lot of folks can now work from just about anywhere.

Wouldn’t hate it if OKC started to offer some incentives to remote workers, a la Tulsa.

Can vouch, lived in Denver for just under a year. Probably would have stayed longer if not for COVID, but it was fairly clear that to live there long term the lack of work-life balance would be too stressful for me, OKC is much more my speed.

It’s getting too expensive in those places, we’re actually starting to get some decent restaurants and bars, and a lot of folks can now work from just about anywhere.

Wouldn’t hate it if OKC started to offer some incentives to remote workers, a la Tulsa.

Disagree with this. Only desperate places do stuff like this. Nope, OKC should funnel any probable "incentive" money that Tulsa does, gives to the OKC school system instead. Much greater impact to an already attractive, naturally growing city that with better funded schools would likely boom significantly.

I would be curious to see what the in-migration is looking like right now in OKC. The housing market is insane. There are entire neighborhoods in OKC without a single home being listed for sale, because any listings posted were snapped up immediately.

Clearly, the demand for housing is greatly exceeding the supply.

I can only surmise this is a result of people moving here from other cities.

I would be curious to see what the in-migration is looking like right now in OKC. The housing market is insane. There are entire neighborhoods in OKC without a single home being listed for sale, because any listings posted were snapped up immediately.

Clearly, the demand for housing is greatly exceeding the supply.

I can only surmise this is a result of people moving here from other cities.

Due to the pandemic foreclosure properties are currently non existent.

I would be curious to see what the in-migration is looking like right now in OKC. The housing market is insane. There are entire neighborhoods in OKC without a single home being listed for sale, because any listings posted were snapped up immediately.

Clearly, the demand for housing is greatly exceeding the supply.

I can only surmise this is a result of people moving here from other cities.

I just hired some people from out of state and they are having a hell of a time finding housing here. All of them said they are either losing out on multiple offers above full price or they are 10th on a waiting list for rentals. I'm not sure how to advise them.

Good news today from the early census numbers. Oklahoma kept all 5 seats.

The changes:

BREAKING: new Census apportionment counts...

TX +2
FL +1
CO, MT, NC, OR +1

CA, IL, MI, NY, OH, PA, WV -1

Good news today from the early census numbers. Oklahoma kept all 5 seats.

The changes:

BREAKING: new Census apportionment counts...

TX +2
FL +1
CO, MT, NC, OR +1

CA, IL, MI, NY, OH, PA, WV -1

first time california has ever lost a seat

Not good news

Not good news

for whom??

Apparently the 2020 population estimate for Oklahoma is 3,959,353, an almost non-existent increase from the 2019 estimates. https://twitter.com/KOCODillon/status/1386766744988049413/photo/1

Apparently the 2020 population estimate for Oklahoma is 3,959,353, an almost non-existent increase from the 2019 estimates. https://twitter.com/KOCODillon/status/1386766744988049413/photo/1


5.2% increase. Not great. The last two census we had a almost 9% growth.

That's not an estimate, that's census so considered official

I moved all the political posts here:

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=46178

I hope that OKC will be able to have a "continued" sustainability in it's population? Since it has not attracted any new Fortune 500 and 1000 companies to the city, the only jobs I see it has gotten are call center jobs (Costco) and Amazon fulfillment centers paying $15.00 per hour? These are decent jobs but I feel the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce is not doing an aggressive job in attracting "high" paying jobs. Since Oklahoma does not value education, this could very well be a big part in why companies do not wish to locate in a State/City that does not value education? This will be a long term issue for OKC. No more complacency and apathy!! MAPS is not enough!

There was an article in the Oklahoman this morning from the chairman of DRG discussing how hard it is to find STEM people and the lack of a talent pipeline is their biggest issue.

Is it just me or have our universities really dropped the ball on IT and aerospace workforce development? That should have been a focus years ago.

OKC will need to change if it is going to continue to prosper and be a "relevant" city in the future! As I stated, MAPS is not enough to bring attention to the corporate movers and shakers. It is time for OKC to change it's business mentality or continue to have mediocrity and languish in the future. It is truly up to it's residents as to what direction OKC will go??

There was an article in the Oklahoman this morning from the chairman of DRG discussing how hard it is to find STEM people and the lack of a talent pipeline is their biggest issue.

Is it just me or have our universities really dropped the ball on IT and aerospace workforce development? That should have been a focus years ago.

Most of my friends who had degrees in STEM went to CO, California or Texas. Sometimes it is more than just pay I think. Those are cool and hip places for young people to move post-college.

Most of my friends who had degrees in STEM went to CO, California or Texas. Sometimes it is more than just pay I think. Those are cool and hip places for young people to move post-college.

There are large clusters of STEM jobs in those states. Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Iowa, New Mexico, etc don't have a lot of pull in this area, in fact there are only a handful of states now seeing major job and population growth. It doesn't mean there are no STEM jobs in Oklahoma, and in fact we are one of the top states for aerospace, but there just aren't as many companies/opportunities as others.

I hope that OKC will be able to have a "continued" sustainability in it's population? Since it has not attracted any new Fortune 500 and 1000 companies to the city, the only jobs I see it has gotten are call center jobs (Costco) and Amazon fulfillment centers paying $15.00 per hour? These are decent jobs but I feel the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce is not doing an aggressive job in attracting "high" paying jobs. Since Oklahoma does not value education, this could very well be a big part in why companies do not wish to locate in a State/City that does not value education? This will be a long term issue for OKC. No more complacency and apathy!! MAPS is not enough!

Fortune 500 companies don't just move every 5 years. This is a ludicrous standard.

Meanwhile SkyDweller Aero out here flying solar panel planes and crickets.
https://www.oklahoman.com/story/business/2021/04/24/solar-powered-drone-developed-oklahoma-aerospace-test-flight/7304711002/

Also Paycom is a home grown S&P 500 that most cities would kill to have.

There are large clusters of STEM jobs in those states. Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Iowa, New Mexico, etc don't have a lot of pull in this area, in fact there are only a handful of states now seeing major job and population growth. It doesn't mean there are no STEM jobs in Oklahoma, and in fact we are one of the top states for aerospace, but there just aren't as many companies/opportunities as others.

New Mexico grew by 2% the last decade despite having one of the most highly educated work forces in degrees per capita. You can go to college for free in NM if you're from there. (Didn't help at all) Its more than "fix education" (not a new idea btw, everywhere has been trying for 40 years now with 0 results.) it's has to do with, education, capital, a workforce with experience in the particular industry, access to waterways etc.

id also like to add that both Amazon and Costco (esp Costco) added not just low(er) paying jobs to OKC. Costco in fact is building its second HQ that is/will be full of corp/admin jobs.

Not saying I disagree with your message ProgressiveBoy BUT we should be accurate in assessing OKC's current viability.

I can't say it enough guys, Seattle is as prosperous as it is because of the University of Washington (my alma mattar) and other "local" schools here that focus primarily on STEM, Health Care, and esp Computer Science. We have not only huge IT companies here (most home grown like Microsoft) but we also have a very significant Health Care research and development sector that doesn't get a lot of press and it's all due and thanks to the University of Washington. .. Believe me.

There's NO reason why OU can't have this same impact on OKC or better. Like others have said, we've sat on our laurels with education from K-12, post secondary, and professionals; it's actually amazing OKC is doing as well as it is when you consider Seattle, Denver, Boston, SF all have HUGE devotion to STEM and these cities have skyrocketed economically. This is something that OKC could have capitalized on that Dallas ISNT really doing (to the same extent as the aforementioned).

What if OU had local campuses and the main two in Norman and OKC were research oriented in more than JUST Health Care (teaching hospital mainly)? What if OU got a fraction of the research dollars that UW gets. I can't tell you guys how often the UW advertises for paid research volunteers for this or that, ever hear that in OKC?

IMO THIS and to a lesser but still critical degree the state government stance needs to change yesterday. Combine the administrations of rural school districts and maybe place a small increase on property assessment dedicated to schools; distribute that $$ to PROFESSIONAL, licensed teachers paying them $60K+ per year; purchase modern books and equipment (give the books to the students), and fix up buildings that need it, and IMO build/refurb sports facilities. WATCH the rankings in Education increase statewide. Get STEM leadership into OU and turn OSU into a #2 Nebraska or Iowa for Agri research and social sciences. Watch there be a huge influx of students. Elect people in government who will serve the people and not antisocial agendas or good ole boy politics. Watch businesses want to flood into OKC as a result. And then watch OKC become the boom-town that most if not all of us know it's capable of being.

SLC and Denver are great peer examples for OKC. I personally thing OKC is inbetween these cities but SLC has made HUGE, HUGE gains despite it's government and political system. University of Utah and BYU have a LOT to do with it.

come on OKC - get control of your state.

Hot Rod, love your post.

St. Louis, MO has 10 Fortune 500 companies, another 10 in the top 1000 and one of the country's world-class clusters of medicine and bioscience (Washington Univ/St. Louis Univ/BJC/Mercy/SSM/Cortex) and the region is so dysfunctional that it is barely growing at all. Much less than OKC. Which is to say that you can have all the assets in the world but if you can't get out of your own way you can't capitalize on anything.

MAPS is an example of how OKC is the opposite of that. MAPS could never in a million years have been passed in St. Louis. OKC performs better population and growth-wise than can reasonably be expected with the headwinds of being in the state that it's in and an economy without a lot of obvious flash. What this tells me is that there are a lot of inherent strengths in OKC that are under appreciated. The people of central Oklahoma are actually much more unified and willing to work together than a lot of other places. The "way" that we have to get out of is the ignorance of so much of the rural population that is intertwined with the city.

Good points made Hot Rod! I agree with some of your analysis, however, Dallas has attracted financial giant Charles Schwab from San Francisco (Westlake) Toyota USA from California and now just recently announced Toyota Financial. The PGA relocated to Frisco from Florida and is in the process of building their new corporate campus! CBRE relocated to Dallas from Los Angeles. Dallas has SMU, University of Dallas, nearby North Texas University. Dallas is more of a financial white collar city and has gained so may California companies!

GoPokes (lol). Do not tell that to Dallas and Austin to add into the equation. We have gained corporate relocations on a frequent, regular basis and companies go where there is a good business climate, no state income tax and a great business mentality. Oklahoma sadly does not offer this at all! I can say this as I am a native Oklahoman and former OKCityan. I agree alot with DCSooner as he is usually spot on!!!

^^^ many of those like Hot Rod and DC Sooner are spot on there are just a lot of Oklahoma fanboys who cry and whine every time something negative is pointed out about Oklahoma whether it is true or not. Criticism is not a bad thing. Oklahoma needs to be criticized as it is painful watching all of these other states land these major relocations which would completely transform the state and be the biggest thing to happen in decades here. Yet it happens seemingly monthly in Texas.

Tennessee is eyed for a major tech company expansion, Oracle IIRC.

In addition, TESLA moved from California to Austin, Oracle announced back in December it will move corporate headquarters from Silicon Valley to Austin. Boston area tech company (publicly traded) Ribbon Communications relocated from the Boston area to Plano. I would love for OKC to land companies like this, however, it is going to have to completely change its business model and have more educated residents especially in STEM related areas.

Yeah Oklahoma, and especially OKC, is frustrating because the potential is absolutely there to turn a corner and really boom into a more modern, developed and thriving metro. It's already a great place to raise a family, land is cheap, the metro has all the trappings most folks expect out of a city, lots of area to grow...just need the people and investment, especially in education and a concerted effort to find numerous other industries to draw in other than oil and gas (the growing aerospace industry is a good trend in this area for example).

^^^ many of those like Hot Rod and DC Sooner are spot on there are just a lot of Oklahoma fanboys who cry and whine every time something negative is pointed out about Oklahoma whether it is true or not. Criticism is not a bad thing. Oklahoma needs to be criticized as it is painful watching all of these other states land these major relocations which would completely transform the state and be the biggest thing to happen in decades here. Yet it happens seemingly monthly in Texas.

Tennessee is eyed for a major tech company expansion, Oracle IIRC.

I doubt big companies that do business globally would want to come to Oklahoma, due to no airports offering non-stop travel to Europe and elsewhere, so they go to Texas.

Yeah Oklahoma, and especially OKC, is frustrating because the potential is absolutely there to turn a corner and really boom into a more modern, developed and thriving metro. It's already a great place to raise a family, land is cheap, the metro has all the trappings most folks expect out of a city, lots of area to grow...just need the people and investment, especially in education and a concerted effort to find numerous other industries to draw in other than oil and gas (the growing aerospace industry is a good trend in this area for example).

I often point out that first it was Seattle, then Portland, then Charlotte, Austin, Las Vegas... And before that was Dallas, Houston, Denver and Atlanta.

So the big question is: what will be the next American boomtown?

You can make a very strong case for OKC but despite respectable growth, we have never really taken off. And I hate to say, if it hasn't happened by now it probably won't and we'll just have to be content.

I often point out that first it was Seattle, then Portland, then Charlotte, Austin, Las Vegas... And before that was Dallas, Houston, Denver and Atlanta.

So the big question is: what will be the next American boomtown?

You can make a very strong case for OKC but despite respectable growth, we have never really taken off. And I hate to say, if it hasn't happened by now it probably won't and we'll just have to be content.
Pete, why do you say if it hasn’t happened by now it probably won’t?

Pete, why do you say if it hasn’t happened by now it probably won’t?

Because there are no significant changes on the horizon.

Something big needs to happen with education and not to beat a dead horse, but there are plenty of moves by our politicians that are repellent to the types of people who drive big change and growth.

Also, the most influential people in this state may say they want growth but most are deeply and categorically opposed to meaningful change.

100 percent Agree Pete!!

On the plus side, our unemployment rate is pretty darned low https://twitter.com/davidfholt/status/1387515922424938505:


The new unemployment data was just released for large cities, and Oklahoma City’s unemployment rate has dropped to 4 percent. OKC now has the 4th-lowest unemployment rate of all large cities.

^

But wait, I thought legions of lazy freeloaders were choosing to stay on unemployment because it's so lucrative.

How can that be when we have just about the lowest unemployment rate in the country?

Because there are no significant changes on the horizon.

Something big needs to happen with education and not to beat a dead horse, but there are plenty of moves by our politicians that are repellent to the types of people who drive big change and growth.

Also, the most influential people in this state may say they want growth but most are deeply and categorically opposed to meaningful change.

Oklahoma isn't doing bad after all the backward political stuff. While far from a top 10 state for population growth, it's been adding on population faster than all its neighboring states for the last 10 years, except for Colorado and Texas.

I'd say OKC is doing just fine considering that it alone contributed to a significant amount of Oklahoma's entire population increase. I wouldn't mind us growing a good clip faster, but it looks like we'll see moderate growth for the foreseeable future.

Oklahoma isn't doing bad after all the backward political stuff. While far from a top 10 state for population growth, it's been adding on population faster than all its neighboring states for the last 10 years, except for Colorado and Texas.

We are 26th in growth, below such dynamic forces as Nebraska and Delaware.

And I don't think anyone sees Kansas and Arkansas as desired benchmarks.

Population and population change in the United States by state Rank

Oklahoma 2020 - 3,963,516 - increase - 212,165

State Population as of 2010 census[79] Population as of 2020 census[80] Change Percent change

27 Oregon 3,831,074 4,241,500 410,426 Increase 10.71% Increase
28 Oklahoma 3,751,351 3,963,516 212,165 Increase 5.66% Increase
29 Connecticut 3,574,097 3,608,298 34,201 Increase 0.96% Increase
30 Utah 2,763,885 3,275,252 511,367 Increase 18.50% Increase
31 Iowa 3,046,355 3,192,406 146,051 Increase 4.79%

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_United_States_census

The City is doing alright for the most part. You can find your Returns if you know what you’re doing.

^

But wait, I thought legions of lazy freeloaders were choosing to stay on unemployment because it's so lucrative.

How can that be when we have just about the lowest unemployment rate in the country?

Heh, gottem.

^

But wait, I thought legions of lazy freeloaders were choosing to stay on unemployment because it's so lucrative.

How can that be when we have just about the lowest unemployment rate in the country?

Lazy freeloaders who are choosing to stay on unemployment are not counted towards unemployment statistics. Only the unemployed who are searching for work count.

https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/063015/how-does-us-bureau-labor-statistics-calculate-unemployment-rate-published-monthly.asp#:~:text=Key%20Takeaways,are%20not%E2%8 0%94a%20controversial%20position.

Lazy freeloaders who are choosing to stay on unemployment are not counted towards unemployment statistics. Only the unemployed who are searching for work count.

https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/063015/how-does-us-bureau-labor-statistics-calculate-unemployment-rate-published-monthly.asp#:~:text=Key%20Takeaways,are%20not%E2%8 0%94a%20controversial%20position.

Yep. After the 2008/2009 recession the unemployment rate began to drop, but the labor force participation rate remained historically low. It began rising again and then the government forced recession hit last year. Now, it's at a new historical low after bouncing back a bit. Just like with the Federal Reserve balance sheet. The Fed was finally able to start shrinking the balance sheet a couple years ago. Now, it's exploded upwards by trillions of dollars. It's totally ridiculous.

Lazy freeloaders who are choosing to stay on unemployment are not counted towards unemployment statistics. Only the unemployed who are searching for work count.

https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/063015/how-does-us-bureau-labor-statistics-calculate-unemployment-rate-published-monthly.asp#:~:text=Key%20Takeaways,are%20not%E2%8 0%94a%20controversial%20position.

Freeloaders implies they are receiving government benefits which also means they would be counted in the unemployment number.

Low unemployment isn't necessarily a good thing.

https://www.investopedia.com/insights/downside-low-unemployment/#:~:text=A%20very%20low%20a%20rate,gap%2C%20or%20s lack%2C%20happens.

From the Investopedia Article:


Bureau of Labor Statistics Survey
Despite what many people believe, the unemployment rate is not measured by calculating the number of people collecting unemployment insurance. In fact, the government comes up with this much-anticipated number each month by following a process that more closely resembles the U.S. Census. The unemployment rate is measured by a division of the Department of Labor known as the Bureau of Labor Statistics or BLS. This government agency conducts a monthly survey called the Current Population Survey that involves 60,000 households. These households are selected using random sampling methods designed to generate as close an approximation as possible to the larger population.

I often point out that first it was Seattle, then Portland, then Charlotte, Austin, Las Vegas... And before that was Dallas, Houston, Denver and Atlanta.

So the big question is: what will be the next American boomtown?

You can make a very strong case for OKC but despite respectable growth, we have never really taken off. And I hate to say, if it hasn't happened by now it probably won't and we'll just have to be content.

this is why I think we as a city as a state should study those cities and make them our benchmark. They obviuosly studied boom cities before them and implemented what they could successfully execute. This is why I always bring up examples that Seattle is doing or Denver because I know these two cities (lived/worked in Denver in the 1990s, OKC-expat in Seattle since 1991) so I've seen these cities then and the growth they have achieved since (and most of the steps they took, esp Seattle).

In all honesty, OKC isn't that far off from where Seattle was in the 1990s or Denver in the later 1990s (as I was returning back to Sea). So OKC is in a good spot, we just need to fix education and go after ANY and ALL business with more than the same old lame (cheap housing, cheap cost of living, blah blah).

We need to come up with something unique to OKC that can't be found or done elsewhere and pitch that. Let me give you a great example: Seattle pitched itself as the gateway to Alaska a few years ago despite Vancouver Canada already having this title with MILLIONS on cruise ships every year vs our few thousand for us at the start. So we built a new cruise terminal (not even as big as Vancouver's) and pitched the city as part of the vacation experience and viola - Seattle has assumed the #1 position regarding Alaska cruises DESPITE Vancouver having obviuosly much more international connections and infrustructure. We've even eat into Vancouver's historical totals because now Americans don't need to go there. And we're now thought of as a tourist city because of the cruise ships Seattle and the rest is more or less history (including many more international flight launches).

See how a simple idea blossomed with Seattle taking advantage of a potential asset along with a tremendous business case despite a huge monster, long established, barrier to entry 100 miles northwest. We didn't tout Seattle being cheaper, we said that we can be PART of the vacation experience that it begins once you arrive and we delivered on that for the most part.

Now, what could work for OKC. I have no idea why OKC doesn't run with the idea of being the crossroads of america. OKC truly is, with I-35 and I-40 converging as the ONLY spot in the center of the nation where you can go coast to coast and country to country. why dont we run with that and be the home to logistics, transportation, and shipping? That could be just one more sector that OKC could have - in fact, didn't OKC used to be a trucking hub back in the day?

Also, why don't we just go ahead and expand our airport all the way. That way we can be ready for the next airline or expansion. I know many on here will say, oh there's so many other airports that could be selected or already have the infrastructure. But if OKC doesn't take a leap then it will NEVER even be considered.

Look at what OKC did with the original MAPS I arena. Yes there were other arenas in more popular cities than OKC. But we took a chance, built it and voila - we were ready to host the New Orleans Hornets which was a huge success and catalyst to the 10+ years of NBA ownership OKC has enjoyed. Look at Austin, now WHY should they have an International Airport with DFW, IAH, and (to a lesser degree) San Antonio so close by? It's because they had a vision for their city/region that they could build an IT base but needed international flights - so they built the terminal anyway and convinced British Airways to give them a shot - HUGE success and now they're expanding.

These are just a few examples of what needs to change MOST in OKC - perception. We need to think BIG and have a cohesive vision beyond JUST cost of living or family friendly. We need a Mission statement, OKC is to become the next --- and this is what we're doing to get there. .. Airport MUST be in the equation, we don't need a hub we need a nice point-to-point airport with international gates (ala Austin) that way we could test the market and/or be ready for expansion or a new airline - they don't HAVE to go to Cincinatti or Memphis IF OKC already has a modern facility waiting. .. Think of it as the ultimate TIF for OKC, we need a world class airport (again, not a HUB but a medium facility with nice amenities that we can add jetways as necessary).

Look at the aformentioned cities and they all have nice airport service. Let's benchmark what they did (and have) and take a chance. The next MAPS (or evenwhile this current one is going) should focus on transit and major infrastructure since this is what OKC is lacking compared to those benchmark cities. We also need to develop a vision beyond cost of living that prioritizes OKC's strengths and perhaps we can also market ourselves against Dallas. It'd be nice if the state could also cooperate but you don't necessarily through in the towel, we can (and have) work around 23rd and Lincoln and I believe if we continue then that equation will change towards OKCs favor anyway (as OKC already gained house and senate seats).

Sorry for the long posts but I really believe in OKC and want to share as many ideas as I can from what I've seen/experienced here as they CAN work despite Dallas, despite not having ocean or mountains. There's good already in OKC otherwise we wouldn't be a 675,000+ city/1.5M (very likely) 2020 census metro. So let's figure it out and capitalize on it.

Freeloaders implies they are receiving government benefits which also means they would be counted in the unemployment number.

No. The unemployment rate is determined by a survey of 60,000 American households with an attempt to make the sample reflective of the population as a whole. It is not that we have x number of people and y are on unemployment. And if a worker decides to drop out of the work force and not seek work, they are not counted as unemployed in that survey. If you retire at 55, you are not counted as unemployed. If you are receiving a government check while staying home and eating bonbons, you are not counted as unemployed.

No. The unemployment rate is determined by a survey of 60,000 American households with an attempt to make the sample reflective of the population as a whole. It is not that we have x number of people and y are on unemployment. And if a worker decides to drop out of the work force and not seek work, they are not counted as unemployed in that survey. If you retire at 55, you are not counted as unemployed. If you are receiving a government check while staying home and eating bonbons, you are not counted as unemployed.

It's ridiculous to argue that there tons of people drawing unemployment that aren't being counted as unemployed.

It is ridiculous, but that is the way the survey works unfortunately. Unemployment numbers don't really mean anything.

It is ridiculous, but that is the way the survey works unfortunately. Unemployment numbers don't really mean anything.

I understand it is a survey but anyone drawing unemployment would be counted as unemployed by that survey.

Why would they be undercounted? Are they also liars as well as freeloaders?

And do people in Oklahoma and OKC lie at a greater than average rate, thus resulting in our low numbers?

I don't think they are liars and freeloaders. I just know that unemployment insurance and the unemployment rate are separate. BLS doesn't count them.

If they are drawing unemployment and not currently looking for work, they are defined as discouraged workers, not unemployed.

I'm certainly not hopping on the freeloaders argument. I'm just saying Midtowner is right about the way unemployment is counted.

You CANNOT draw unemployment benefits without giving evidence of an active job search:


The Oklahoma Employment Security Act says that an unemployed individual is eligible to receive benefits for the week where that individual is able, available and actively seeking suitable employment at a pay rate generally available in their area of the state in keeping with his/her work experience, education or training


You must contact a minimum of two different employers each week to meet the minimum work search requirement.

https://fileunemployment.org/oklahoma/job-search-requirements/

You CANNOT draw unemployment benefits without giving evidence of an active job search:





https://fileunemployment.org/oklahoma/job-search-requirements/

they don't really ask about this currently .... the law or not .

they don't really ask about this currently .... the law or not .

Yes ... they do.

You CANNOT draw unemployment benefits without giving evidence of an active job search:



https://fileunemployment.org/oklahoma/job-search-requirements/

For the record, they did stop requiring an unemployment search completely through October or November of last year and absolutely have not kept up with it well since that time. You don’t even have to apply for jobs, make two job searches and check the box off when you’re filing each week. It’s extremely easy to circumvent the work search requirement.

I have no idea why it’s happening and certainly can’t prove that staying on unemployment is the reason for it, but I’ve talked to a ton of bar and restaurant owners and owners/managers in other businesses that are having a ton of trouble finding help right now and they weren’t having that issue to this extent at other times in which our unemployment numbers were low.

^

Whether people can circumvent the job search requirement by lying about it is not the point -- not to mention it's making a very broad generalization without having any real knowledge.

People keep claiming that those receiving unemployment benefits are not counted in the unemployment numbers and that is 100% false.


The reason employers in the service industry are having trouble finding employees is because almost every one of them cut their staff with no notice and they all had to find other jobs. Most of these places do not begin to pay their staff fairly and they are generally treated as disposable, so now people are surprised they don't want to come back to that life?

The very low unemployment numbers indicate they have moved on.

If restaurants and bars want employees to come back and stay, they should pay them appropriately and treat them better.

^

Whether people can circumvent the job search requirement by lying about it is not the point -- not to mention it's making a very broad generalization without having any real knowledge.

People keep claiming that those receiving unemployment benefits are not counted in the unemployment numbers and that is 100% false.


The reason employers in the service industry are having trouble finding employees is because almost every one of them cut their staff with no notice and they all had to find other jobs. Most of these places do not begin to pay their staff fairly and they are generally treated as disposable, so now people are surprised they don't want to come back to that life?

The very low unemployment numbers indicate they have moved on.

If restaurants and bars want employees to come back and stay, they should pay them appropriately and treat them better.

Just to be clear, It isn’t by lying. You just have to complete two “job searches” which means you could search for accountant and plumber jobs each week on OK job match and that fulfills the requirement so that you can check the box and file every week.

Just to be clear, It isn’t by lying. You just have to complete two “job searches” which means you could search for accountant and plumber jobs each week on OK job match and that fulfills the requirement so that you can check the box and file every week.

Requirements are that you make personal contact and:


Contacts should be for work you are willing and qualified to do, pay that you are willing to accept, and in the area that you are willing to work.


It's amazing how much misinformation there is about unemployment and how so many are quick to disparage those receiving benefits.

Requirements are that you make personal contact and:




It's amazing how much misinformation there is about unemployment and how so many are quick to disparage those receiving benefits.

I’m telling you how it works based on personal experience and doing it for nearly 32 weeks last year. I know what the requirements are, I know what is required to get it every week, and I know what is required to check off the weekly work searches box. I’m not just making it up. Apparently the source you’re pulling that from is either new or not in line with what you are actually asked to do when filing. Which wouldn’t be all that surprising because the entire process is a cluster. I was actually asked to FAX my ID information at one point instead of uploading it to a website or scanning and emailing it. They finally started modernizing it toward the end of the year and it’s much better now from a tech standpoint which is something the current OK administration has done a pretty good job of, but until October or so it was a mess.

Certainly am not trying to disparage anyone from doing it...after being employed consistently for 11 years...I had no other option then to file for 3/4 of last year.

I’m telling you how it works based on personal experience and doing it for nearly 32 weeks last year. I know what the requirements are, I know what is required to get it every week, and I know what is required to check off the weekly work searches box. I’m not just making it up. Apparently the source you’re pulling that from is either new or not in line with what you are actually asked to do when filing.

It is from the state of Oklahoma unemployment website.

These are the current requirements; was probably different when you were on it, as they briefly relaxed things during the height of Covid.