Your Vote Counts: Oklahomans brace for economic fallout as tariffs dominate Capitol conversations

As federal tariffs begin to ripple through the U.S. economy, Oklahoma lawmakers and industry leaders are warning that the impact is already being felt at home — from agriculture and construction to consumer prices and the state budget.

During the most recent broadcast of Your Vote Counts, political commentators Paul and Jason tackled a range of economic concerns facing Oklahomans, as the state navigates fallout from a series of tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump’s administration.

Agriculture and Construction in the Crosshairs

Tariffs are absolutely going to affect us here in Oklahoma," former Oklahoma Representative Jason Dunnington said. "We're a big agriculture state. When it's going to cost more to send our products, anything from soybeans, pork, poultry, wheat, those things out to market, it's going to cost more."

Ryan Martinez, now the president of the Oklahoma State Home Builders Association, expressed concern over how the compounded effects of tariffs, workforce shortages, and regulatory hurdles are straining the home-building industry.

"This industry is, you know, you add tariffs, you add workforce issues, you add supply chain issues, higher interest rates, you know," Martinez said. "The rising cost of doing business in certain municipalities because of over-regulation is driving up the cost of homes for everyday Oklahomans."

The Oil Industry, 401(k)s, and Household Budgets

With oil and gas also vulnerable to global economic shifts, lawmakers fear declining revenues from the gross production tax could further complicate the state budget. Sen. Paul Rosino cautioned that “401(k)s are taking a hit,” and advised Oklahomans to “buckle down, make a budget, and be realistic.”

“We’ve talked about inflation for years,” Rosino added. “Now, it’s tariffs. Everything is going to cost more — at the grocery store, in construction, at the gas pump. We’ve got to prepare.”

Mental Health Agency Scrutinized Amid Budget Talks

Meanwhile, concerns have surfaced over the financial practices of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Lawmakers on the show said they’ve heard from providers who aren’t being paid, potentially disrupting vital services. One state senator, who chairs the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, said he believes the agency may already have sufficient funds and questioned the need for additional appropriations.

State Budget Negotiations Enter Crucial Phase

As budget season looms, lawmakers face the challenge of deciding whether to move forward with proposed tax cuts while federal funding remains uncertain. With the legislative session nearing its end, discussions are intensifying between the House and Senate.

“Do we have the revenue to support a tax cut?” Rosino asked. “We’re working closely together to find the right path forward, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions.”

The show closed on a historical note — with a reference to the 1930s Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act and how similar economic uncertainty back then helped shift national policy. “History has a way of repeating itself,” the hosts noted.