Small: What causes inflation? Government.

What causes inflation? Government.

By Jonathan Small

The financial pinch families feel from rising prices is undeniable. Yet too few understand that government is responsible for soaring prices.

Consider college costs. The massive government subsidies provided to colleges, through free-flowing student loans, billions in state and local tax dollars, government’s cultural overemphasis on a college degree, and the complicit “paper ceiling” at many businesses, make students much less price sensitive. Colleges have responded by hiking tuition.

According to JP Morgan, the cost of clothing has increased 35 percent since 1983 while gas increased 182 percent. But college tuition has soared 914 percent.

SQ 832: a competition-crushing, AI-adopting dream for Big Business

SQ 832: A Competition-Crushing, AI-Adopting Dream for Big Business

State Question 832, the ballot measure that would dramatically raise Oklahoma’s minimum wage, is a gift to Big Business, Big Tech, and the accelerating AI revolution. Oklahomans will vote on June 16th to decide the fate of our state's economic future. SQ 832 is bad news, and let me take a few moments to warn you about it.

We stand at the threshold of tremendous technological transformation, one that risks the “de-humanization” of common work. AI, algorithms, and robotics are increasingly being used, in all industries, to handle routine tasks. I'm watching it grow in the cleaning and restoration industry; I'm sure it's in your field as well.

If you pay any attention at all to what the Big Tech gurus are saying at global conferences and shindigs, they are eager to remove humans from the labor equation wherever possible. Other actors are seeking to use this to pursue a socialist Universal Basic Income, whereby everyone is on the government dole and thus more easily controlled, particularly as tech-driven surveillance becomes more mainstream (see State Rep. Tom Gann's long-running fight against the implementation of Flock cameras and similar technology across the state).

SQ 832 does not fight this trend; it subsidizes it. Rather than lifting employees up the ladder, it would saw it off above their reach.

Stitt signs energy MOU with Denmark; OK Freedom Caucus mentions concerns

Governor Stitt Signs Energy MOU with Ambassador of Denmark

OKLAHOMA CITY (December 2, 2024) - Today, Governor Stitt joined Ambassador of Denmark to the United States Jesper Møller Sørensen to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Oklahoma and Denmark. The agreement focuses on increasing collaboration between the two governments in pursuit of a robust and innovative energy future. The MOU also includes areas of technology and defense.

“Thanks to pro-business policies and our 'more of everything' approach to energy, the world is taking notice of what’s happening in Oklahoma,” said Governor Stitt. “This mutually beneficial relationship will create opportunities for economic growth and job creation for both Oklahoma and Denmark. Working together on innovative energy solutions will further enhance our already strong relationship with Denmark.”

Sen. Deevers on why voters should reject State Question 833

The following is a column by State Sen. Dusty Deevers (R-Elgin) about the dangers of State Question 833. I concur:

Rejecting Oklahoma SQ 833 – The Case Against Public Infrastructure Districts (PIDs)
Originally posted at OKGrassroots

State Question 833 (SQ 833) introduces Public Infrastructure Districts (PIDs), giving developers significant control over infrastructure financing at taxpayers’ expense. Here’s why voters should say “No” to SQ 833.

State Superintendent Walters rolls out 'Back to Basics' plan in Guymon

Walters Rolls Out Back to Basics Plan in Guymon

Guymon, Okla – State Superintendent Ryan Walters rolled out his Back to Basics plan with leaders in Guymon today.

Small: What is a conservative?

What is a conservative?

By Jonathan Small

Polling consistently shows a strong share of Oklahoma voters identify as conservatives. Therefore, Republican candidates do as well, if for no other reason than political self-preservation.

But being conservative means more than checking off the pro-life and pro-Second Amendment boxes on a questionnaire, as important as those issues may be.

So, what is a conservative?

Group of State Reps call on Attorney General Hunter to investigate Robinhood stock trading app

Reps. Logan Phillips, Trey Caldwell Call on Attorney General Hunter to Investigate Robinhood Stock Trading App

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 29th) – Reps. Logan Phillips, R-Mounds, and Trey Caldwell, R-Lawton, today called on Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter to open an immediate investigation into the recent actions of the stock trading and investing app, Robinhood. Yesterday, in response to a large online group of retail investors targeting specific securities, Robinhood restricted trading of the stocks for a full trading day.

“The trading restrictions implemented by Robinhood are a clear example of market manipulation designed to protect big banks and hedge funds,” said Phillips. “The app claims to want to ‘democratize finance,’ but their actions over the past 48 hours have served to silence individual investors, including thousands of Oklahomans. I am calling on Attorney General Hunter to open an immediate investigation into the actions taken by Robinhood.”

The stocks restricted from purchase on Thursday included AMC; Bed, Bath and Beyond; Gamestop; Nokia; BlackBerry; Express; Koss and Naked Brand Group. The purchase of these stocks, which had been shorted by Wall Street investment firms, was encouraged on the popular Reddit page “r/wallstreetbets.” Due to the increase in purchase of these stocks among retail investors, the investment firms lost billions on their return, and Robinhood blocked the purchase of the stocks. Limited purchase power was restored as of Friday morning, and Robinhood cited “market volatility” as their reasoning for the restriction

Sen. Bergstrom files Oklahoma Home-Based Business Fairness Act

State Sen. Micheal Bergstrom introduces the Oklahoma Home-Based Business Fairness Act

OKLAHOMA CITY –  In an effort to promote the creation of small businesses across the state, Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, filed the Oklahoma Home-Based Business Fairness Act on Thursday.

Senate Bill 316 would ensure that no municipality could prohibit a home-based business to apply, register or obtain a permit, license, variance or other type of prior approval from the municipality to operate the business.

Under the measure, municipalities would be allowed to establish reasonable regulations for a home-based business if the regulations are tailored to protect public health and safety, ensure the business activity is compatible with residential use of the property, complies with state and federal law and paying applicable taxes.

Municipalities may not require a home-based business to rezone the property for commercial use or install fire sprinklers in a residential dwelling with more than two units.

“Despite the difficult times we have been facing, the American Dream is alive and well in our country, but we must do all we can to ensure burdensome regulations are not discouraging the entrepreneurial spirit of our citizens,” Bergstrom said.

1889 Institute: Gov't permission to be a plumber is unjustified

GOVERNMENT PERMISSION TO BE A PLUMBER IS UNJUSTIFIED

Do Oklahoma toilets flush better than London toilets where plumber licensing does not exist?

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (January 7, 2021) – The 1889 Institute has published “Plumber Licensing in Oklahoma,” the latest in its Licensing Directory series of reviews of licensed occupations in the state. As with every other review of licensed occupations, the conclusion reached is that there is no sound reason to license plumbing as an occupation, keeping in mind that licensing is the most onerous of labor regulations short of outright banning an occupation.

“It’s interesting to note that Great Britain does not require licensing of plumbers,” said Tyler Williamson, the study’s author and Research Associate at the 1889 Institute. “In fact, plumbers in Great Britain use a system of private certification to signal to consumers of their services that they know what they’re doing,” said Williamson.

The 1889 Institute has proposed a policy and has published a model bill that would encourage private certification whereby organizations meeting certain consumer-protection criteria could register with the state and receive criminal fraud law protection from anyone falsely claiming a credential. Consumers would benefit from the resulting competition.

1889 Institute: Checking Government-Granted Privilege

Checking Government-Granted Privilege

By Byron Schlomach

Among young people, socialism is as popular as capitalism. Our social fabric is increasingly frayed, and conservative populists are no happier than young socialists about our nation’s general state of affairs. This is not due to Trump Derangement Syndrome, but to a vague sense that increasingly, the economic “game” is loaded in favor of a few over the many. Unfortunately, in many respects this is true.

History and experience has taught that income inequality caused by market forces is a strength. The fact that one can get fabulously wealthy by producing goods and services others find useful is a powerful spur to innovation and hard work. It’s an incentive that has lifted billions out of poverty within the last 30 years. But now, after years of constant drumbeat by socialists, income inequality appears to present an existential threat to the United States.

1889 Institute: if licensing laws protect consumers, why are they blatantly anti-consumer?

If Licensing Protects Consumers, Why Are Licensing Laws Blatantly Anti-Consumer?

By Mike Davis, 1889 Institute

Once upon a time, there was a small island whose economy revolved around scuba-diving tourism. The island's legislature considered scuba dangerous. Inexperienced divers would surface too quickly and get the bends. The legislature, wanting to make diving seem safer, passed a law banning sharks from designated scuba diving zones. There were no known shark attacks, nor were sharks frightening divers into surfacing too quickly, but people felt safer. This is what most occupational licensing schemes look like. Legislators give the public a sense of security, while giving powerful insiders protection from competition. The laws do almost nothing to help consumers. They’re futile. They are also deceptive.

Lepak: stop allowing special interests to pull up the ladder of opportunity

Let’s Stop Allowing Special Interests to Pull Up the Ladder of Opportunity

By Benjamin Lepak (1889 Institute)

A legislator I know once told me he heard a lobbyist for a trade group describe his job as helping those already on top pull up the ladder so no one else could follow. What he meant was that he helped this trade association get the legislature to pass laws that made it ever more difficult to become licensed in the field, thus limiting competition for his paying clients. For established license holders, this seems like an easy trade: the fee to hire the lobbyist is relatively small compared to the windfall produced by using the law to eliminate future competition.

To the lobbyist’s credit, at least he was forthright about what he was being paid to do. But pause for a moment and contemplate what this means for society at large. The practical effect of this mentality is that many people are legally prohibited—or at least substantially hampered—from pursuing their chosen career. What’s more, the entire goal of such action is to keep prices to the consumer high by artificially manipulating the supply of practitioners.

The share of occupations nationwide that required a license in 1950 was approximately 5 percent. It has exploded to more than 29 percent today. A recent study found Oklahoma is the eleventh most burdensome licensing state in the country.

State Rep. Humphrey requests AG investigate beef industry, packing over market manipulation

Humphrey Requests AG Investigation of OK Beef Industry

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, last week met with Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter regarding his request of an investigation into the Oklahoma beef industry. On Tuesday, he sent a follow-up letter expressing appreciation for Hunter’s quick response to his initial request and commending Hunter’s staff for how quickly they addressed his concerns.

Humphrey said Hunter’s staff directed him to webinars and Zoom meetings presented by leading powerbrokers in the beef industry. After listening to hours of discussion, he wrote Hunter to report back his conclusions.

“First, it is very important to know and understand that COVID-19 did not create the crises now presented within the beef industry,” Humphrey wrote. “The virus merely accelerated and exposed multiple factors pertaining to market manipulation within the industry. The beef packing industry is a critical component of an extremely complex beef market network. Many organizations designated to represent beef producers may have acquired an unbalanced perspective of the importance of the packers verses the producers. These organization have used their potential to peddle influence on behalf of the packing industry to establish an unfair, and I believe, an unlawful market advantage. This type of manipulation will result in the eradication of the present beef producer model and lead to a commercialization of the beef industry, which has already materialized in the pork and poultry industries.”

1889 Institute on OK's COVID-19 Shutdown: "Not Worth the Cost"

The COVID-19 Shutdown: Not Worth the Cost

By Byron Schlomach

The costs of the economic shutdown due to COVID-19 across the nation are mounting. Record unemployment caused by a government-induced 25 percent reduction in the nation’s monthly GDP is symptomatic of bankrupted individuals and businesses. Drug use and suicides have surged. A little- noticed U.N. report has pointed out the obvious – that even a mild worldwide recession will cause hundreds of thousands of children’s deaths. So, news of state re-openings are welcome.

Governor Stitt has declared many businesses can open on Friday, April 24. By May 1, all enterprises in the state will be able to operate more or less normally. Eventually, Oklahoma will be fully operating again. But the question remains, “Was the shutdown and extreme social distancing even necessary?”

The answer is a clear and unequivocal “No.”

'OK Back 2 Work' calls for more rallies across Oklahoma on April 20th

OK Back 2 Work Calls for More Rallies Across Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, OK – OK Back 2 Work recognizes the great efforts of the grassroots activists, small business owners, concerned citizens, and employees that joined us at the Drive by Rally at the Oklahoma State Capitol on Wednesday, April 8th in heart, spirit and in person. Our efforts sent a strong message to Governor Stitt that Oklahomans are ready to get back to work.

"Oklahoma Back 2 Work" car-rally planned Wednesday at State Capitol, calling for re-opening of state

A group of concerned citizens and business-owners from across the state is organizing an auto-rally at the State Capitol on Wednesday, calling on the Governor and state leaders to re-open Oklahoma's currently shuttered economy:

OCPA: To combat coronavirus, unleash the private sector

To combat coronavirus, unleash the private sector

By Jonathan Small

The emphasis on “public distancing” to combat the COVID-19/coronavirus should not be mistranslated into an edict to stop caring or taking necessary action. These are the times we must all commit ourselves to extraordinary personal responsibility and individual initiative. We must be courageous, not fearful. We must be wise, not obstinate. We must be a good neighbor, not an isolationist. We must be innovative and not captive. We must be compassionate and not self-centered.

Our policymakers will need to increase, not decrease, our reliance on private-sector solutions and this challenge will require government to modernize and innovate.

To some, that will sound counterintuitive. Surely at a time like this, critics will say, we need to ignore what the private sector can do and trust big government more than ever. But Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden noted the failures of big government in a recent debate when it was suggested government-run health care was needed to stop the coronavirus.

“With all due respect to Medicare for all, you have a single-payer system in Italy,” Biden said. “It doesn’t work there.”

Solutions from the private sector are helping significantly. In Colorado, which has a Democratic governor, the state waived regulations so medical professionals licensed in other states could immediately become licensed in Colorado, expedited the process for those currently seeking a medical license in-state, and expanded the ability of medical professionals other than current doctors and nurses to test for COVID-19.

If you reduce regulation, you can increase supply. Government has the opportunity during these challenging times to embrace this reality.

Similarly, in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, lifted regulations so trucks delivering alcohol can also haul grocery supplies. Shortages in some grocery stores were not simply the product of mass purchases, but also regulations that restricted supply.

In Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt has issued similar executive orders waiving red tape as well.

At the national level, President Trump has tapped major businesses to make testing for coronavirus both easier and more efficient.

Unfortunately, these common-sense approaches often run counter to some of the loudest voices. Thus, some suggest we need bigger government, an approach that would require tax increases at a time economic contraction was already underway in Oklahoma. Such moves would set us back as a state, not speed recovery.

Instead, Oklahoma’s economy needs several pro-growth policy reforms to prevent long-term devastation from the simultaneous assault of the COVID-19 response and the oil production maneuvers between Saudi Arabia and Russia.

Oklahoma needs pro-growth tax relief and tax reform—including reforms to increase capital, such as building crowdsource funding infrastructure in Oklahoma, and expansion of tax credit programs that promote innovation and effectiveness in education and work-force training. These reforms are necessary, and the sooner they are enacted, the better for all Oklahomans.

These are the times when everything gets put into perspective, and we must prioritize what is most important. I have every confidence Oklahomans will lead the way.

Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

Small: No profit in schools?

No profit in schools?

By Jonathan Small

I’ve seen some defenders of Oklahoma’s educational status-quo insist that one benefit of the current system is it is untainted by profit motive. That’s a view that can be perpetuated only if one stays in a constant state of willful blindness, because here’s the truth: People are making billions off Oklahoma public schools every year. Every day someone—whether it’s a school employee or private contractor—is making money off public schools.

In 2017, more than $1.5 billion was spent by Oklahoma’s public schools on supplies and purchased services. In most cases, that money went to private vendors selling goods and services for a profit.

The school buses weren’t built by local school officials. The law firms hired by district are not normally donating their services for free. Textbooks are a big, national business, as are the standardized tests used in the classroom. When district voters approve a bond for new buildings, the materials are purchased from private companies and the buildings are erected by private entities.

Profit motive is apparent even among those who advocate for public schools at the Capitol. During the 2018-2019 school year, four school districts—Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Bixby, and Jenks—spent nearly $200,000 combined in taxpayer funding on contract lobbyists.

Certainly, those who work for those private companies may care about local schools. But they also care about their bottom line.

At the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, we have long argued parents should be able to send their children to the school of their choice with taxpayer funds, and we’ve supported privatization in other areas of government. Opponents object that this would mean private schools could make a profit off school-choice. But, as noted above, people are making a profit off schools every day. And if the end result is a better education for a child, who cares that a school is financially rewarded for improved performance?

School choice policies that empower parents are not an important reform because they introduce profit motive into education. They’re an important reform because they use market forces (and the associated profit motive of vendors) to increase the power of parents. The current system uses profit motive only to boost the power of administrators dealing without outside vendors.

Schools have good reason to use outside vendors for a wide range of goods and services. But the free-market forces that give schools greater value when contracting for those services will work equally well if we give that same power to parents.

I’m glad schools use free-market forces to get a fleet of buses at the lowest possible price. But it would be even better if we used those market forces to also generate well-educated students across Oklahoma.

Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

Stuart Jolly leaving AFP-OK for national post

AFP-OK Director Stuart Jolly Resigns after Six Years Building Army for Liberty

AFP President Tim Phillips Expresses Appreciation

Oklahoma City, OK – Americans for Prosperity today announced that Stuart Jolly, state director of the organization’s Oklahoma chapter, is resigning at the end of the month to become Executive Political Director of TeamCFA; which focuses on the areas of free-market economics, school choice and charter school legislative issues and innovative answers. Stuart’s responsibilities are now nationwide, with special focus on three regions surrounding North Carolina, Arizona, and Indiana.

Stuart has served as state director of Americans for Prosperity for over six years, during which time the chapter has grown by over 24,000 activists and successfully defended free-market principles around the state.

“I am proud to call Stuart a trusted colleague and friend and thank him for his leadership in the fight for economic freedom and limited government these past six years,” said Tim Phillips, President of Americans for Prosperity. “While we are sorry to see him go, we know that he will continue to be an ally in our common cause and we wish him all the best. The great state of Oklahoma is an even better place today because of Stuart's dedicated work.”

Prior to joining AFP, Stuart enjoyed a diverse career with the United States Army spanning nearly 22 years retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, Blackhawk helicopter pilot, and Foreign Area Officer in the Defense Attaché Office in the US Embassy to Belgium. He’s earned multiple awards and decorations including the Senior Aviator Wings, Bronze Star and two Air Medals.

Americans for Prosperity is actively looking for candidates to fill the Oklahoma State Director position. You can see more details and apply by clicking here.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen-leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and intrusiveness of government is the best way to promote individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans.  For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org

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Stuart Jolly has been a great voice for free-market principles and a good ally of the Tea Party movement in Oklahoma. With Stuart at the helm, AFP-OK has done great work in the school choice field, in advancing conservative economic policies, and in educating grassroots activists. Although he will be missed in his former post, Stuart will do a great job at his new job. Congratulations on the promotion, Stuart!

Israeli Finance Minister on 'stimulus' programs

Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz had a very interesting quote yesterday, regarding "stimulus" programs. "Never sacrifice the future of your economy in order to save it in the present because you will kill both."

He further went on to say this: "If you give incentives or stimulus plans that are unsustainable for too long, they won’t work. On the contrary, if people realize that in two or three years [they] are going to pay for it, and recovery will be very slow because of this, this will be counterproductive."

It looks like those statements are playing out in the American post-Obama stimulus economy.