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TOPIC | Public Finance

Mortgage Rates Hit 2.50%
If you owe under $729k you may qualify for 2.90% APR Govt Refi Plans.
www.SeeRefinanceRates.com

New Rule in VIRGINIA:
(APR 2013): If You Pay For Car Insurance You Must Read This Immediately
www.ConsumerFinanceDaily.com

Washington notes, May 19 May 19, 2013 Washington notes, May 19 Read More

Taking Stock: Shorting Treasury bonds May 19, 2013 Malcolm Berko explains short selling, and how to do it with Treasuries via an exchange-traded fund. Read More

Social Security Q&A: Disability payment types differ May 19, 2013 A look at the difference between Social Security disability and Supplemental Security Income disability. Read More

Oklahoma City Thunder: The time has come for OKC's young players

May 18, 2013 The Thunder for next season has committed $66.119 million in salary. And that's for 10 players. No Kevin Martin, no Derek Fisher, no DeAndre Liggins and no rookie gleaned from a lottery pick. So don't expect a splashy free agent signing come July. Or even a ripple. Read More

Edmond begins at $231 million budget process May 18, 2013 City council members have begun looking at the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. Residents will have to go back four years to find a larger budget. Read More

National and world business briefs for May 18, 2013 May 18, 2013 National and world business briefs for May 18 Read More

After graduation, many Oklahoma students enter workforce with mountain of debt May 17, 2013 Alexandra Hall, an Oklahoma State University graduate, doesn't regret taking out loans to pay for her degree. But when she went through an exit counseling session and saw “Total Owed: $37,000” flash across her computer screen, she did feel a bit of panic. Read More

Figures on government spending and debt May 17, 2013 WASHINGTON (AP) — Figures on government spending and debt (last six digits are eliminated). The government's fiscal year runs Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. Note: The statutory debt limit is temporarily suspended until May 19, 2013. Read More

Gov. Mary Fallin urges Oklahoma Legislature for health care fix

May 17, 2013 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov. Mary Fallin proposed a last-minute legislative change on Friday to the state's Insure Oklahoma program that would direct $50 million in state tobacco taxes to pay for more than 9,000 people who are expected to lose their health insurance under the program. Insure Oklahoma currently... Read More

Taxing online sales doesn't make sense May 17, 2013 Taxing online sales by one state on purchases made in another state doesn't make sense. Sales taxes have always been paid by the buyer indirectly through the seller. If I travel to Texas and make a purchase, I pay sales tax to Texas (the location of seller). If I make an online purchase from the same seller in... Read More

Between the hedges: Outside investors in Oklahoma energy companies helped fuel growth May 17, 2013 Recent shareholder action has focused attention on New York hedge funds and other outside groups that have funded oil and natural gas activity in Oklahoma for decades. Read More

Walmart's first-quarter profit and sales disappoint company

May 17, 2013 The world's largest retailer reported Thursday its first-quarter profit moved up just slightly, and the company struggled with a sales slump in its namesake business during the three-month period. Read More

Sales tax receipts decline for second consecutive month in Oklahoma City May 17, 2013 After 18 months of growth, Oklahoma City's sales tax receipts have dropped two months in a row. Read More

New funding proposals unveiled for 2 Oklahoma museums May 16, 2013 A Senate panel approves measures that would provide the use of certain tax receipts for the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum in downtown Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture in Tulsa. Read More

At a glance: Oklahoma sales tax versus use tax May 16, 2013 At a glance: Oklahoma sales tax versus use tax Read More

World business highlights, May 16 May 16, 2013 World business highlights, May 16 Read More

Caution urged in forecasting Oklahoma tax revenue trends May 16, 2013 WEATHER trends are often cited to support political positions, such as those either pushing a climate change agenda or opposing that agenda. It's dangerous, though, to put too much stock in short-term temperature or precipitation trends when formulating a policy stance. The same is true of government revenue... Read More

Smartphones provide another avenue for hackers, experts warn May 16, 2013 MIAMI, Fla. — Smartphones are increasingly popular not only with consumers, but also with thieves who see the devices as another way to tap into bank accounts and other sensitive information, experts say. Many consumers simply don't realize how vulnerable their Androids, iPhones and other devices can be. An... Read More

Oklahoma Capitol briefs for May 16, 2013 May 16, 2013 Oklahoma Capitol briefs for May 16 Read More

Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe co-sponsoring bill targeting IRS May 15, 2013 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma's senior U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe is co-sponsoring a bill filed amid reports that the Internal Revenue Service specifically targeted conservative groups. Inhofe announced Wednesday that he was an official co-sponsor of the Taxpayer Nondiscrimination and Protection Act of 2013. Inhofe... Read More