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OKC City Council adopts 2026 Budget

OKC City Council adopts 2026 Budget

Yahoo04-06-2025

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Oklahoma City Council announced on Tuesday the adoption of the 2026 budget highlighting its $930 million plan keeps the city running.
Oklahoma City leaders cited slow growth and department wide cuts in the Police Department and Fire Department.
'This is the second year in a row that sluggish revenue growth triggered a budget reduction,'City Manager Craig Freeman said. 'Despite this, I'm encouraged that departments could makeadjustments to stay within available resources while continuing to focus on services for our residents.'
Hundreds of teachers, administrative staff laid off from Epic Charter Schools
Currently, Oklahoma City's largest single source of revenue is sales tax, which pays for day-to-day services, according to City officials.
Oklahomans are urged to shop in locally including online. The City gets 4.125% of taxable sales made in Oklahoma City or when people from Oklahoma City buy something online, says City leaders.
For the budget overview and highlights click here.
Visit okc.gov/council to find your Council member's contact information. Visit okc.gov/WardMap to see who represents you. Visit okc.gov/agenda for City Council meeting agendas, including instructions on how to sign up to speak. Visit okc.gov/tax for an overview of revenue.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Tribes celebrate record economic impact in Oklahoma
Tribes celebrate record economic impact in Oklahoma

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Tribes celebrate record economic impact in Oklahoma

Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Chairman Jacob Keyes holds a page of study findings on the economic impact of Oklahoma tribal nations during an event Wednesday at the Oklahoma History Center. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma's tribal nations contributed $23.4 billion to the state's economy in 2023, according to a study released Wednesday. Over 55,000 Oklahomans were directly employed by tribes and nearly 140,000 jobs were supported for both tribal citizens and non-citizens, the tribal-backed study found. This totals more than $7.8 billion in wages and benefits in 2023. Matthew Morgan, chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, said the report 'speaks volumes' to the impact tribes have on the state. 'I think Oklahoma should be very blessed to see the impacts that tribes are having across the state. It's something that they can always look to as well,' Morgan said. 'Tribes aren't going anywhere. We're not some private industry that will decide to move our headquarters. We're not going to be sending our money to shareholders across the country or across the world. All that money, all of those businesses, all of those programs and services turn over in our communities multiple times.' The study, conducted by Kyle Dean, an economics professor and director of the Center for Native American & Urban Studies at Oklahoma City University, used 2023 data from 19 participating tribes. There are 38 federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma. Dean has compiled three previous reports, published in 2012, 2019 and 2021. A product of a joint effort between the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association and United for Oklahoma, a public education initiative supported by a coalition of tribes, the study found that between the 2019 and 2023 budget years, tribal economic activity grew $4.9 billion. Around $7.4 billion in revenue was generated by tribal gaming and 'related businesses.' The report shows 'tribal contributions to the state are both reliable and enduring,' Dean said at an event Wednesday revealing the findings. 'I have to say that I'm unsurprised by the results,' Dean said. 'The impact is extraordinary, but it no longer surprises you. The level and growth of impact is consistent.' Over a third of the visits to tribal gaming and entertainment properties were from out-of-state, according to a 2019 report. This is indicative of the impact gaming has, pulling in tourism that also benefits the surrounding local communities, Morgan said. Oklahoma's tribes have exclusivity over gaming through compacts with the state. In exchange, tribes send a portion of the revenues to the state. With the education portion of their exclusivity fees, tribes contributed $351 million for Oklahoma education programs in 2023, according to the report. Leaders of six tribal nations celebrated the results of the study Wednesday at the Oklahoma History Center. Each touted the medical centers, homes, education programs, businesses and public infrastructure their tribes funded, often with gaming and tourism as the primary revenue source. 'Gaming revenue for us is just a vehicle that gets us to do all of the things that we want to do for our people and for the surrounding community,' Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Chairman Jacob Keyes said. 'We're grateful to have that ability. But, it's only growing, and the more gaming grows, the more that impact grows for us.' Oklahoma tribes spent $133.6 million on tribal education programs and scholarships. They donated $39.3 million to Oklahoma communities and universities. Another $582 million was spent on health care services for over 3.5 million unique patient visits, the study found. Tribal leaders said they often provide services and create jobs in rural areas that would have few resources otherwise. Choctaw Nation Principal Chief Gary Batton pointed to the drone research and development center established in the small southeast Oklahoma community of Daisy. 'It's a place where nobody would invest except the Choctaw Nation, and tribes do this all across their various reservations,' Batton said. The report shows that Oklahoma tribal governments are 'doing everything they can' to uplift people in the state and 'love' working with other governments to ensure the benefits are 'felt across the state,' Morgan said. 'I think the most positive thing that comes from this is that we have objective numbers to walk into the Chamber of Commerce or the state Capitol, and show people the contributions that tribal governments are making across the state,' he said. '… We want to be proud of what we're doing, but we also want to relay the point that we're at the table, we're a part of Oklahoma, and we're ready to make Oklahoma the best it can be in working together.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

United for Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Announce Tribes' Impact on State's Economy
United for Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Announce Tribes' Impact on State's Economy

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time5 hours ago

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United for Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Announce Tribes' Impact on State's Economy

BUSINESS WIRE)--First American tribal nations in Oklahoma contributed $23.4 billion to the state's economy in 2023, according to a new study released Wednesday. Tribal leaders announced the results of the study – commissioned by United for Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association – on Wednesday at the Oklahoma History Center. Compared to previous periods, the new report indicates the largest increase in economic activity between the years studied. From FY 2019 to FY 2023, economic activity rose $4.9 billion, nearly double the increase recorded between FY 2017 to FY 2019. The study found that the tribes directly employed more than 55,600 Oklahomans and supported a total of 139,860 jobs to tribal citizens and non-citizens, accounting for more than $7.8 billion in wages and benefits to Oklahoma workers in 2023. 'The contributions of tribal nations to the Oklahoma's success are substantial and enduring,' said Matt Morgan, chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association. 'Through our business enterprises and healthcare facilities, we support jobs in rural areas where economic opportunities are often limited. Tribal impact reaches far beyond employment. We invest in infrastructure, fund health care, champion public education and deliver programs that meet critical community needs. We honor the legacy that brought us here and remain focused on building a bright future for all Oklahomans.' The report highlights significant tribal contributions to health care, public education and workforce development in 2023: Tribes spent $582 million providing health services to Oklahomans with over 3.5 million unique patient visits. Through gaming compacts between tribal governments and the state, tribes submit a percentage of their Class III gaming revenues for the exclusive right to operate gaming in the state. In 2023, tribes sent $208 million in exclusivity fees to the state — a 36% increase since 2019. More than $177 million of the fees went to fund public education across Oklahoma. When combined with the education portion of exclusivity fees, tribes delivered $351 million for Oklahoma education programs in 2023. The economic impact study was conducted by Dr. Kyle Dean, professor of economics and director of the Center for Native American and Urban Studies at Oklahoma City University. Dr. Dean analyzed data from 19 tribal nations based in Oklahoma. 'Tribal nations serve as a significant economic force, consistently contributing to the state's economy with increasingly transformative impact,' said Dr. Dean. 'With over 100,000 jobs supported and an ever-expanding scope of investments, tribes help build sustainable economies and stronger communities across the state.' Learn more at United For Oklahoma is a public education initiative supported by a coalition of tribes that are committed to nurturing mutual respect, shared strength and productive partnerships. The mission of the initiative is to raise awareness of tribal impact across the state. Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA), established in 1986, is a non-profit organization of Indian Nations with other non-voting associate members representing organizations, tribes and businesses engaged in tribal gaming enterprises from around Oklahoma. The common commitment and purpose of OIGA is to advance the welfare of Indian peoples ­ economically, socially and politically.

United for Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Announce Tribes' Impact on State's Economy
United for Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Announce Tribes' Impact on State's Economy

Yahoo

time5 hours ago

  • Yahoo

United for Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Announce Tribes' Impact on State's Economy

Tribes' economic impact exceeded $23 billion in 2023 OKLAHOMA CITY, June 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First American tribal nations in Oklahoma contributed $23.4 billion to the state's economy in 2023, according to a new study released Wednesday. Tribal leaders announced the results of the study – commissioned by United for Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association – on Wednesday at the Oklahoma History Center. Compared to previous periods, the new report indicates the largest increase in economic activity between the years studied. From FY 2019 to FY 2023, economic activity rose $4.9 billion, nearly double the increase recorded between FY 2017 to FY 2019. The study found that the tribes directly employed more than 55,600 Oklahomans and supported a total of 139,860 jobs to tribal citizens and non-citizens, accounting for more than $7.8 billion in wages and benefits to Oklahoma workers in 2023. "The contributions of tribal nations to the Oklahoma's success are substantial and enduring," said Matt Morgan, chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association. "Through our business enterprises and healthcare facilities, we support jobs in rural areas where economic opportunities are often limited. Tribal impact reaches far beyond employment. We invest in infrastructure, fund health care, champion public education and deliver programs that meet critical community needs. We honor the legacy that brought us here and remain focused on building a bright future for all Oklahomans." The report highlights significant tribal contributions to health care, public education and workforce development in 2023: Tribes spent $582 million providing health services to Oklahomans with over 3.5 million unique patient visits. Through gaming compacts between tribal governments and the state, tribes submit a percentage of their Class III gaming revenues for the exclusive right to operate gaming in the state. In 2023, tribes sent $208 million in exclusivity fees to the state — a 36% increase since 2019. More than $177 million of the fees went to fund public education across Oklahoma. When combined with the education portion of exclusivity fees, tribes delivered $351 million for Oklahoma education programs in 2023. The economic impact study was conducted by Dr. Kyle Dean, professor of economics and director of the Center for Native American and Urban Studies at Oklahoma City University. Dr. Dean analyzed data from 19 tribal nations based in Oklahoma. "Tribal nations serve as a significant economic force, consistently contributing to the state's economy with increasingly transformative impact," said Dr. Dean. "With over 100,000 jobs supported and an ever-expanding scope of investments, tribes help build sustainable economies and stronger communities across the state." Learn more at About United for Oklahoma United For Oklahoma is a public education initiative supported by a coalition of tribes that are committed to nurturing mutual respect, shared strength and productive partnerships. The mission of the initiative is to raise awareness of tribal impact across the state. About Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA), established in 1986, is a non-profit organization of Indian Nations with other non-voting associate members representing organizations, tribes and businesses engaged in tribal gaming enterprises from around Oklahoma. The common commitment and purpose of OIGA is to advance the welfare of Indian peoples ­ economically, socially and politically. View source version on Contacts Media contact: Katy Gustafson, APR, (405) 200-5631, katy@ Sign in to access your portfolio

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