Oklahoma ranks low in education, arts, health, pay levels, insurance coverage... high in incarcerations, divorces, poverty, drug addiction, obesity, teenage marriage.... Oh...high in sports achievements...lol. But we are the most right wing republican state in the country and proud of it. That should tell us something.
Just Sayin

If Oklahoma would just pass Medicaid expansion it would help a lot of those things on that list. If we can’t even pick the low hanging fruit like this, forget about tackling those bigger issues. We will remain at the bottom of these lists with the rest of the Bible Belt.

Well, you can't correct for almost 100 years of Democratic control of State govt , in 10 years.

Well, you can't correct for almost 100 years of Democratic control of State govt , in 10 years.

This is THE problem. Partisan stupidity

Well, you can't correct for almost 100 years of Democratic control of State govt , in 10 years.

Since 2008, it was Republicans that cut education down past the bone and started scooping out the marrow. Before that, yeah, maybe some cuts happened to education, but nothing like how massively it was cut after 2008.

https://ballotpedia.org/Party_control_of_Oklahoma_state_government

https://okpolicy.org/report-oklahoma-made-deepest-school-funding-cuts-nation/

https://www.economist.com/united-states/2018/01/30/whats-the-matter-with-oklahoma

This is THE problem. Partisan stupidity

Yep. It would be one thing if the state Republicans actually offered solutions aside from more Jesus and more tax cuts for the top 1%. They have made it clear they really don't have it in them to do what they really need to do to fix the state's education woes. My personal opinion is that it might be intentional. The worse the state's public education system is, the more people will homeschool or send their kids to private schools. Of course, if you aren't rich, you are stuck with the public school system.

Since 2008, it was Republicans that cut education down past the bone and started scooping out the marrow. Before that, yeah, maybe some cuts happened to education, but nothing like how massively it was cut after 2008.

https://ballotpedia.org/Party_control_of_Oklahoma_state_government

https://okpolicy.org/report-oklahoma-made-deepest-school-funding-cuts-nation/

https://www.economist.com/united-states/2018/01/30/whats-the-matter-with-oklahoma

I mean, you're TECHNICALLY correct, while also being a bit misleading. Not giving them a pass on the cuts that happened, and they certainly haven't raised it enough or kept up with growth, but 2008 was a blip. Prior to 2008 education spending had been flat, right at or under 3 B. It jumped to 3.82 B in 2008, and held steady for a couple of years, and then dropped down to about 3.5 B, still higher than it had been trending pre 2008. I've seen folks using the convenient 2008 number a lot, which was more a fluke than a pattern. (all of this gets worse if account for inflation and per pupil spending of course).

Either way, education has NEVER been a priority in Oklahoma, or at least in my lifetime. I'm not sure if it's a symptom or rural life or farm life or poverty levels or what...

I mean, you're TECHNICALLY correct, while also being a bit misleading. Not giving them a pass on the cuts that happened, and they certainly haven't raised it enough or kept up with growth, but 2008 was a blip. Prior to 2008 education spending had been flat, right at or under 3 B. It jumped to 3.82 B in 2008, and held steady for a couple of years, and then dropped down to about 3.5 B, still higher than it had been trending pre 2008. I've seen folks using the convenient 2008 number a lot, which was more a fluke than a pattern. (all of this gets worse if account for inflation and per pupil spending of course).

Either way, education has NEVER been a priority in Oklahoma, or at least in my lifetime. I'm not sure if it's a symptom or rural life or farm life or poverty levels or what...

Agreed on your last paragraph. But the links I posted were about cuts *since* 2008, not just *in* 2008, and Rs have been in charge since 2009.

it is common knowledge that Oklahoma is garbage with funding education. We need to stop arguing semantics and just fix it.

Simply put, dramatically increase funding for public schools. If taxes need to be raised then just do it. It is not a hard concept to understand for anyone. it isn't even a political issue. Just fund public education. How is this still a thing in 2019.

Simply put, dramatically increase funding for public schools. If taxes need to be raised then just do it. It is not a hard concept to understand for anyone. it isn't even a political issue. Just fund public education. How is this still a thing in 2019.

It's a big problem here in the Bible Belt (Oklahoma isn't alone in this). Too many people see public schools as secular/leftist indoctrination centers. Remember a few years ago when OK state lawmakers were trying to abolish AP courses because they thought there wasn't enough emphasis in the curriculum on America's Christian heritage?

Another factor not related to this is there are simply too many districts. However, small communities in the South are generally centered around a high school football team. School consolidation would mean these smaller towns would no longer have their own school districts and would lose their alma matters. That's something that won't go over very well in a rural-dominated state like Oklahoma. Arkansas has the exact same problem. Back in the 2000s, governor Mike Huckabee actually tried to address it and got tremendous pushback from the rural communities that didn't want to lose their independent school districts.

It's a big problem here in the Bible Belt (Oklahoma isn't alone in this). Too many people see public schools as secular/leftist indoctrination centers. Remember a few years ago when OK state lawmakers were trying to abolish AP courses because they thought there wasn't enough emphasis in the curriculum on America's Christian heritage?

Another factor not related to this is there are simply too many districts. However, small communities in the South are generally centered around a high school football team. School consolidation would mean these smaller towns would no longer have their own school districts and would lose their alma matters. That's something that won't go over very well in a rural-dominated state like Oklahoma. Arkansas has the exact same problem. Back in the 2000s, governor Mike Huckabee actually tried to address it and got tremendous pushback from the rural communities that didn't want to lose their independent school districts.

I agree with your first paragraph totally, but the argument about districts costing the state to much is just a diversion people like to use for why we are so bad at funding schools. The truth is, it's just a talking point that means nothing. if Oklahoma got rid of every single administrative position in the entire state of Oklahoma, it wouldn't even move us up one single spot in the amount spent per pupil rankings. You are correct that consolidation would never happen anyway. Conservative lawmakers that say we have to many districts would never go through with actual consolidations. There is no way in hell they are going back to their rural districts to tell their constituents that news.

Oklahoma ranks low in education, arts, health, pay levels, insurance coverage... high in incarcerations, divorces, poverty, drug addiction, obesity, teenage marriage.... Oh...high in sports achievements...lol. But we are the most right wing republican state in the country and proud of it. That should tell us something.
One of my favorite sayings is "Life is how you make it". So if you're poorly educated, fat, work at minimum wage, didn't buy auto and/or health insurance, drug addicted and finally ended up in prison, it's your own damned fault, not the state of Oklahoma's.

Give Oklahoma a break. I think Alabama and Mississippi are even worse at being right wing Republican. From the 2018 elections, Oklahoma voters threw out some bad Republican legislators holding Oklahoma back. Hopefully, another good round of that comes at the polls in 2020. State Sen. Silk is among those who should be targeted.

I agree with your first paragraph totally, but the argument about districts costing the state to much is just a diversion people like to use for why we are so bad at funding schools. The truth is, it's just a talking point that means nothing. if Oklahoma got rid of every single administrative position in the entire state of Oklahoma, it wouldn't even move us up one single spot in the amount spent per pupil rankings. You are correct that consolidation would never happen anyway. Conservative lawmakers that say we have to many districts would never go through with actual consolidations. There is no way in hell they are going back to their rural districts to tell their constituents that news.

Not even consolidating school boards would be acceptable in rural areas? Keep school boards local just as important as keeping high schools local? If the 4 school boards of 4 neighboring small towns consolidated, it would seem to be an attractive amount of money would be made available from the savings.

Well, you can't correct for almost 100 years of Democratic control of State govt , in 10 years.

Still, Republicans have been way too slow and reluctant to correct things after Democrat control. In the case of justice reform, the people had to give up and go the petition route. It's probably a symptom that Republicans often voted along with Democrats for almost 100 years.

Not even consolidating school boards would be acceptable in rural areas? Keep school boards local just as important as keeping high schools local? If the 4 school boards of 4 neighboring small towns consolidated, it would seem to be an attractive amount of money would be made available from the savings.

Consolidating schools boards? Do you know how much school board members get paid? $25.00 a meeting.

Again, we have to get past these nonsensical talking points that are meant to distract and offer no actual solution for anything and just just fund the damn public school system.

Well, you can't correct for almost 100 years of Democratic control of State govt , in 10 years.
What...like when the state was forming in 1907. Let’s talk about today instead of deflecting and not addressing real facts and situations.
We have prized white flight, home schooling (often same as white flight), and then diminishing support of public schools. Keep them uneducated, poor and vulnerable and they will work for cheap and believe anything you tell them.

This is THE problem. Partisan stupidity

No.. just STUPIDITY period.

Well, you can't correct for almost 100 years of Democratic control of State govt , in 10 years.
Total bs deflection and lack of courage to address the problem with more than riteous sounding self serving platitudes.

Consolidating schools boards? Do you know how much school board members get paid? $25.00 a meeting.

Again, we have to get past these nonsensical talking points that are meant to distract and offer no actual solution for anything and just just fund the damn public school system.
Then consolidate school superintendents. They make around $100,000.

Then consolidate school superintendents. They make around $100,000.

Again, if we just straight up fired EVERY SINGLE superintendent in the entire state of Oklahoma, it wouldn’t even add enough additional funds to move us up one spot in the rankings on funding per pupil. That’s what I’m trying to say.

It has nothing to do with administrative costs. It has nothing to do with the number of districts. The Oklahoma legislature is not properly funding education. That’s it, that’s the problem. The only solution is to put more money into public education.

Then consolidate school superintendents. They make around $100,000.
You are being sold a bill of goods from the tea party. Quit falling for their deception. Our legislature is inept at real problem solving.

You are being sold a bill of goods from the tea party. Quit falling for their deception. Our legislature is inept at real problem solving.
The tea party has passed it prime, fortunately.

Again, if we just straight up fired EVERY SINGLE superintendent in the entire state of Oklahoma, it wouldn’t even add enough additional funds to move us up one spot in the rankings on funding per pupil. That’s what I’m trying to say.

It has nothing to do with administrative costs. It has nothing to do with the number of districts. The Oklahoma legislature is not properly funding education. That’s it, that’s the problem. The only solution is to put more money into public education.

You must be right since none of the conservative commentators on here are speaking up.

You must be right since none of the conservative commentators on here are speaking up.

It’s a tricky situation for conservative lawmakers. They have created this narrative that’s it’s a bloated system and not a funding problem to distract from the actual issues. But they can’t even fix this made up “problem” because most of these lawmakers represent a lot of these rural districts. For most of these rural towns, the school system is the only remaining thing keeping these communities alive. There is no way these conservative lawmakers are going to touch that issue.

Think about it. Conservatives have held held the majority in every branch of govt for 15 years. If this was an actual solution, it would have been done by now. Ask yourself why they keep blaming administrative costs and done absolutely nothing about it. Not even one draft of a proposal.

It’s a tricky situation for conservative lawmakers. They have created this narrative that’s it’s a bloated system and not a funding problem to distract from the actual issues. But they can’t even fix this made up “problem” because most of these lawmakers represent a lot of these rural districts. For most of these rural towns, the school system is the only remaining thing keeping these communities alive. There is no way these conservative lawmakers are going to touch that issue.

Think about it. Conservatives have held held the majority in every branch of govt for 15 years. If this was an actual solution, it would have been done by now. Ask yourself why they keep blaming administrative costs and done absolutely nothing about it. Not even one draft of a proposal.

They made up a false narrative that would rally their base and created talking point solutions with no real substance. The longer they can keep it going, the longer they hold their naive base together. They either know the answer and are afraid to say they were wrong, or they are just plain ignorant and stupid.... a dangerous combo.

https://s.yimg.com/lo/api/res/1.2/_5THCCzxPCXjhK7_SMUDdQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW15O3c9NjQwO3E9NzU7c209MTtpbD1wbGFuZQ--/https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5ce2d1c224000068077f13fe.png.cf.jpg

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings

Interesting that Oklahoma and Texas are not that far apart.

Interesting that Oklahoma and Kansas are that far apart.

Interesting that Oklahoma and Kansas are that far apart.

Why do you suppose that is? Really wondering. Haven't you lived in in both? What's your quick analysis?

"Some states shine in health care. Some soar in education. Some excel in both – or in much more. The Best States ranking of U.S. states draws on thousands of data points to measure how well states are performing for their citizens. In addition to health care and education, the metrics take into account a state’s economy, its roads, bridges, internet and other infrastructure, its public safety, the fiscal stability of state government, and the opportunity it affords its residents.

More weight was accorded to some state measures than others, based on a survey of what matters most to people. Health care and education were weighted most heavily. Then came state economies, infrastructure, and the opportunity states offer their citizens. Fiscal stability followed closely in weighting, followed by measures of crime & corrections and a state's natural environment."

They have the full breakdown on the link. I take these lists with a grain of salt anyways. I only found it while browsing through SLC development page on SSP forum.

At least there are a couple of well run Republican states with that being Utah and Nebraska.

Interesting that Oklahoma and Texas are not that far apart.

Seems like they are particularly interested in punishing states for oil and gas activity. I find the rankings of Texas, Ohio, and Penn. hard to believe.

^^^^ that’s a good point. That is weird.

North Dakota is a O&G state, and #15

Interesting that Oklahoma and Kansas are that far apart.

Kansas really benefits from having the KCMO suburbs, including some of the most affluent ones, within the state. That typically helps the state tremendously in rankings. Imagine if DFW was a little farther north and suburbs like Plano and Frisco were in Oklahoma. That's what Kansas gets to benefit from.

As far as Texas, it's almost a tale of two states down there. The urban areas are booming, but the rural parts of the state pull a lot of weight as well and things aren't as rosy there.

Kansas really benefits from having the KCMO suburbs, including some of the most affluent ones, within the state. That typically helps the state tremendously in rankings. Imagine if DFW was a little farther north and suburbs like Plano and Frisco were in Oklahoma. That's what Kansas gets to benefit from.

As far as Texas, it's almost a tale of two states down there. The urban areas are booming, but the rural parts of the state pull a lot of weight as well and things aren't as rosy there.

I think it's a lot broader to explain than Kansas City. I think people in the entire central and northern plains know better how to make government work for them along with more individuals knowing how to run their own lives without becoming negative statistics. In Oklahoma try not to become a statistic.

Speaking of the urban/rural divide, one Republican Logan County Commissioner would like rural areas to have more representation by redoing how state senators would be represented, so there would be 77 of them, one for each county. He thinks that way the rural needs of the county commissioners would be taken more seriously. I think that scheme would only give rural people even more representation in an unfair way. I doubt urban voters in a statewide vote would approve it. If rural voters think their roads are worse than ever, then they need to yell louder to their legislators. Only a very small portion of the $230 million swiped from the County Road and Bridge Fund has been restored.

I’m not a keen observer of Kansas, but what I recall reading the last few years about their government indicated to me that Governor Sam Brownback and tea party forces had pushed through draconian tax and spending cuts that crippled education and other state services. They failed miserably, got voted out of office and the State Supreme Court is still overseeing the education system. They have just begun trying to move forward.

As far as Texas, it's almost a tale of two states down there. The urban areas are booming, but the rural parts of the state pull a lot of weight as well and things aren't as rosy there.I don’t about that. I’m noticing the rural areas many of which throughout large portions of the state much like Florida are staring to turn into a huge low density metropolis comprised of exurb after exurb for 100s of miles with some large ranches in between. It’s really nice development and isn’t run down. Lubbock, Amarillo, San Angelo, and Texarkana seem to be some decent investment going on with infrastructure and freeways getting a lot of attention. This will surely be the case if Lubbock gets its way and see I-27 extended to I-20. San Angelo could be poised to see I-27 AND I-14 in the coming decades.

Seems like they are particularly interested in punishing states for oil and gas activity. I find the rankings of Texas, Ohio, and Penn. hard to believe.

Author has likely read a lot about the resource curse.

Which to make a long theory short, resource extraction raises wages and tax revenues, but then everything else gets more expensive and no one works in anything but resource extraction, so parlaying those gains into something more than just resource extraction is difficult, then the resource runs out and everything collapses.

Why Oklahoma never created and refuses to create, an endowment with the severance taxes which would to essentially ensure the revenue will stay forever is mind boggling but whatevs I suppose.

Author has likely read a lot about the resource curse.

Which to make a long theory short, resource extraction raises wages and tax revenues, but then everything else gets more expensive and no one works in anything but resource extraction to parlaying those gains into something more is difficult, then the resource runs out and everything collapses.

Why Oklahoma never created and refuses to create an endowment with the severance taxes to essentially ensure the revenue will stay forever is mind boggling but whatevs I suppose.

Hard to save when you have too many needs that need to be met first.

Hard to save when you have too many needs that need to be met first.

Gonna be realllllllllly hard to meet those needs when we the O&G runs out or demand dies.

And demand will probably die within the generation that’s being born today.

A positive way for Oklahoma to be in the Top 10 for something:

http://www.orangepower.com/attachments/2d64d157-2ade-4c1c-8ea3-d1173de7e991-jpeg.72167/

I saw this the other day. Either the economy is slowing down around the country or Oklahoma is really doing good. I'm not an economist so I don't know which it is but I am glad to see Oklahoma's expanding GDP!

I saw this the other day. Either the economy is slowing down around the country or Oklahoma is really doing good. I'm not an economist so I don't know which it is but I am glad to see Oklahoma's expanding GDP!

Oklahoma is doing pretty good. There’s somewhat of a self loathing echo chamber of jaded okies on this board.

National economy is slowing down as well.

Or it could mean that the previous quarter wasnt that good, so any improvement appears to be really good. Its only a snap shot of 6 months, so its not like its a huge deal. But it is good news.

Interesting that Oklahoma and Kansas are that far apart.

Also interesting that Oklahoma and Kansas are far apart in economic growth. Not counting DC, Oklahoma is ranked 14th while Kansas is 45.
https://apps.bea.gov/itable/drilldown.cfm?reqid=70&stepnum=40&Major_Area=3&State=0&Area=XX&TableId=528&Statistic=1&Year=2017:Q1&YearBegin=2017:Q1&Year_End=2019:Q2&Unit_Of_Measure=AAGR&Rank=1&Drill=1&nRange=5

Also interesting that Oklahoma and Kansas are far apart in economic growth. Not counting DC, Oklahoma is ranked 14th while Kansas is 45.
https://apps.bea.gov/itable/drilldown.cfm?reqid=70&stepnum=40&Major_Area=3&State=0&Area=XX&TableId=528&Statistic=1&Year=2017:Q1&YearBegin=2017:Q1&Year_End=2019:Q2&Unit_Of_Measure=AAGR&Rank=1&Drill=1&nRange=5
For a landlocked state with poor infrastructure, our state fights above its weight.

Magazine ranks Oklahoma high for attracting new residents


The magazine ranks Oklahoma number four nationally for states where people are moving to for jobs. Here’s how Forbes described Oklahoma’s attraction:
4. Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s economy had been booming, but slumping energy prices have dimmed Oklahoma’s outlook due to its importance to the state. It is the third biggest producer state for natural gas and fifth biggest for crude oil. Chesapeake Energy and Devon Energy are both fixtures in Oklahoma City. The business tax climate is one of the best in the country and employers still benefit from energy costs that are 25% below the national average.

- http://www.okenergytoday.com/2020/01/magazine-ranks-oklahoma-high-for-attracting-new-residents/?fbclid=IwAR01gjfwLmP2PQoTwfYWBpbEBhTIxIjT0ptZE8sm _5mJ7KtYdFWYLqBOvvU

Magazine ranks Oklahoma high for attracting new residents



- http://www.okenergytoday.com/2020/01/magazine-ranks-oklahoma-high-for-attracting-new-residents/?fbclid=IwAR01gjfwLmP2PQoTwfYWBpbEBhTIxIjT0ptZE8sm _5mJ7KtYdFWYLqBOvvU


So Forbes ranks Oklahoma number four nationally for states where people are moving to for jobs. That seems to conflict with an article you put up in a different thread, which stated, "Overall, Oklahoma suffered a net loss of 4,400 jobs from November 2018 to November 2019."

Oklahoma is marketing itself in California with billboards along freeways. It seems like a good move and I’ve long though they should do it. I haven’t seen so far but I’ve been out of the state for a few weeks so I’ll keep my eyes peeled.

https://journalrecord.com/2020/10/05/campaign-in-california-promotes-oklahoma-business-climate/?fbclid=IwAR1XM8hY15Uh-DD7sbhgby71odm0Q23qfBgm0zFjcyJeFbPuXm5EBuz3tec

So Forbes ranks Oklahoma number four nationally for states where people are moving to for jobs. That seems to conflict with an article you put up in a different thread, which stated, "Overall, Oklahoma suffered a net loss of 4,400 jobs from November 2018 to November 2019."

I also do not believe people are moving to Oklahoma in large numbers for jobs or anything else. Reasons for my opinion have been documented many times on this forum. I do not think Oklahoma will reach 4M pop in 2020 census. Growth has been less than 1% for several years now and most is attributed to natural increase. State continues to suffer from negative perception and overall lack of diversity in jobs.

I also don’t see Oklahoma as being as pro growth as it claims to be. Far too many cities, towns, and suburbs just have a small town mentality. Mention raising taxes and everyone looses their minds. These small tax increases here and there won’t do anything but keep this state afloat.

Then I just read a new court ruling about native Indian land will result in the reduction hundreds of millions possibly if a deal can’t be reached. Our leaders here don’t seem to take education all that seriously. OKC seems to be riding on the momentum it created in the early 2000s but how long will that last?

If this state wants to ever really compete and become a top performing state it will need to do several things. Raise taxes. Change it’s perception and draconian ways. Market itself better. Take better if it’s infrastructure and it’s people. Prioritize education.

I’m calling baloney on this one:

https://okcfox.com/news/local/oklahoma-makes-top-10-most-stressed-states-study-says

I also don’t see Oklahoma as being as pro growth as it claims to be. Far too many cities, towns, and suburbs just have a small town mentality. Mention raising taxes and everyone looses their minds. These small tax increases here and there won’t do anything but keep this state afloat.

Then I just read a new court ruling about native Indian land will result in the reduction hundreds of millions possibly if a deal can’t be reached. Our leaders here don’t seem to take education all that seriously. OKC seems to be riding on the momentum it created in the early 2000s but how long will that last?

If this state wants to ever really compete and become a top performing state it will need to do several things. Raise taxes. Change it’s perception and draconian ways. Market itself better. Take better if it’s infrastructure and it’s people. Prioritize education.
+1

Data released in Feb 2021, via CDC and Kaiser, this is every 10 yr data, so it's through 2019. Unable to link directly but https://www.beckershospitalreview.com has the raw data. Oklahoma is moved from #2 to #1 for heart disease deaths. Not what we want to see and the kind of top ten list we need to get off of if we want to thrive as a state.

I also don’t see Oklahoma as being as pro growth as it claims to be. Far too many cities, towns, and suburbs just have a small town mentality. Mention raising taxes and everyone looses their minds. These small tax increases here and there won’t do anything but keep this state afloat.

Then I just read a new court ruling about native Indian land will result in the reduction hundreds of millions possibly if a deal can’t be reached. Our leaders here don’t seem to take education all that seriously. OKC seems to be riding on the momentum it created in the early 2000s but how long will that last?

If this state wants to ever really compete and become a top performing state it will need to do several things. Raise taxes. Change it’s perception and draconian ways. Market itself better. Take better if it’s infrastructure and it’s people. Prioritize education.

It tends to be pretty hard to raise city sales taxes, because they are already high. So any proposal to raise city sales tax will come with the criticism it will have the highest sales tax in the state and so people will go to neighboring towns to shop. It would be nice to raise your city sales tax revenues by growing the population. However, hardly any towns outside the OKC and Tulsa metros are able to that with Durant and to a less extent Stillwater being rare exceptions. With so many towns fading away, rather than growing it makes it hard to find enough funds to advance education, such as replacing school buildings getting too old. Rural towns have become accustomed to living with less, especially from fewer and fewer people, so it's hard for them to see the future as bigger and better. The issues between urban and rural tend to make it hard for the state to go forward.

I don't have much hope for better funded education. Raising taxes to increase teacher pay was like pulling hen's teeth. From what finally resulted, I thought it strange having to pay 3 cents more tax on gas to help fund higher teacher pay, rather than to better maintain the state highway system. At least the state appears to be doing a better job with bridges.

Oklahoma's income tax system is too flat. It keeps it from addressing the problem of increasing income inequality in this state. So make high income people pay higher income taxes. But many legislators at the state capitol want to increase income inequality by eliminating income tax and replace it will little, if any other taxation.

Anyway, Oklahoma does need to do better as a state. Dealing with the future won't make it easier by sticking with the status quo, including the state legislature in every session making news from passing prohibitive laws to deal with new cultural issues as they perceive them. The state would do better by repealing prohibitive laws, such as no car sales on Sundays for starters. For now, Republicans at the state capitol can't seem to accept the notion that business and industry are looking for high quality of life in a state as much as low taxes. At the local level, Oklahoma City addressed that situation with MAPS, and it ended up growing faster than Portland, OR. It shows how progressive government policy works. But large differences between urban and rural would probably make a MAPS difficult to unite on at the state level. State voters couldn't do so much as raise the state sales tax a penny for education.

Oklahoma is ranked as one of the best states for “older adults.”

https://kfor.com/news/local/oklahoma-ranked-among-best-states-for-older-adults/

Good news:

OK RANKED NO. 11 AMONG BEST STATES FOR MANUFACTURING

https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/economy/ok-ranked-no.-11-among-best-states-for-manufacturing/?back=super_blog

Good news:

OK RANKED NO. 11 AMONG BEST STATES FOR MANUFACTURING

https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/economy/ok-ranked-no.-11-among-best-states-for-manufacturing/?back=super_blog

I'd love to see us ranked #1 and have manufacturing hubs all over the state. Up and down I-35 and I-44. Lawton would be a great place for a lot of manufacturing because it would bring much needed good paying jobs to the city and help revitalize it.

Good news:

OK RANKED NO. 11 AMONG BEST STATES FOR MANUFACTURING

https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/economy/ok-ranked-no.-11-among-best-states-for-manufacturing/?back=super_blog
Is this the same for most manufacturing jobs?im not sure we currently have the most? Or is it just a conducive environment ?

I'm curious as to the top manufacturing states for factory workers.