MR2-Sooner86
6/28/2011, 08:06 PM
Freedom Rankings
#12 Overall
#8 Economic
#29 Personal (http://mercatus.org/freedom-50-states-2011/OK)
Stats Breakdown
Change in overall freedom, 2007–2009:
0.044
Change in overall freedom ranking since 2007:
+3
Net domestic migration, 2000–2009 (% of 2000 population):
+1.1%
Governor, 2011:
Mary Fallin (R)
Legislature, 2011:
House 70R/31D, Senate 32R/16D
Analysis
Oklahoma is a solid performer and among the most economically free states. Indeed, it is the third-best state in terms of fiscal freedom, with low spending, taxation, and debt. However, like many Southern states, it has much room for improvement in terms of personal freedom. One fiscal oddity is that the government has a bloated payroll that represents 15.2 percent of the private workforce, nearly a standard deviation higher than the national average. In terms of personal freedom, gun control is fairly limited and alcohol taxes and restrictions are decent. However, the state’s marijuana sentencing is unreformed. Indeed, Oklahoma’s lifetime maximum possible sentence for a single marijuana offense is draconian. Asset-forfeiture rules are in need of reform. Several types of gambling are legal (not casinos), though social gambling is technically prohibited. Private- and homeschools are virtually unregulated, though kindergarten attendance is required by law. The state has limited smoking bans with a number of exceptions. Arrests for victimless crimes and the state’s drug law-enforcement rate are at or below national averages. Land-use planning is minimal. Labor and health-insurance laws are generally market friendly. Eminent-domain reform needs much more work. Campaign-finance regulations are quite strict. Improvements have been seen in the state’s liability-system rating.
Policy Recommendations
1. Cut back the size of the government workforce until it is in line with the national average.
2. Protect individual property rights better by reforming eminent-domain and asset-forfeiture laws.
3.Provide tax credits for donations to K–12 scholarship funds.
#12 Overall
#8 Economic
#29 Personal (http://mercatus.org/freedom-50-states-2011/OK)
Stats Breakdown
Change in overall freedom, 2007–2009:
0.044
Change in overall freedom ranking since 2007:
+3
Net domestic migration, 2000–2009 (% of 2000 population):
+1.1%
Governor, 2011:
Mary Fallin (R)
Legislature, 2011:
House 70R/31D, Senate 32R/16D
Analysis
Oklahoma is a solid performer and among the most economically free states. Indeed, it is the third-best state in terms of fiscal freedom, with low spending, taxation, and debt. However, like many Southern states, it has much room for improvement in terms of personal freedom. One fiscal oddity is that the government has a bloated payroll that represents 15.2 percent of the private workforce, nearly a standard deviation higher than the national average. In terms of personal freedom, gun control is fairly limited and alcohol taxes and restrictions are decent. However, the state’s marijuana sentencing is unreformed. Indeed, Oklahoma’s lifetime maximum possible sentence for a single marijuana offense is draconian. Asset-forfeiture rules are in need of reform. Several types of gambling are legal (not casinos), though social gambling is technically prohibited. Private- and homeschools are virtually unregulated, though kindergarten attendance is required by law. The state has limited smoking bans with a number of exceptions. Arrests for victimless crimes and the state’s drug law-enforcement rate are at or below national averages. Land-use planning is minimal. Labor and health-insurance laws are generally market friendly. Eminent-domain reform needs much more work. Campaign-finance regulations are quite strict. Improvements have been seen in the state’s liability-system rating.
Policy Recommendations
1. Cut back the size of the government workforce until it is in line with the national average.
2. Protect individual property rights better by reforming eminent-domain and asset-forfeiture laws.
3.Provide tax credits for donations to K–12 scholarship funds.