Join us for an approachable breakdown of how Oklahoma plans to spend its money in 2026. Our guest speaker, Aanahita Irani Ervin from the Oklahoma Policy Institute, will walk us through where state dollars go, why budgets matter, and how fiscal decisions affect everyday young Oklahomans.
Whether you’re a student, first-time voter, young professional, or just someone trying to understand your paycheck and your state, this conversation is built for you.
What You’ll Learn
- Where Oklahoma’s 2026 state budget money actually goes
- How fiscal policy impacts education, healthcare, public safety, and your daily life
- Why the budget is one of the most powerful tools in public policy
- How Gen Z can make sense of, and influence state decisions
Special Guest Speaker
Aanahita Irani Ervin – Fiscal Policy Analyst, Oklahoma Policy Institute
Aanahita joined OK Policy in 2024 and brings experience in public policy, engineering, and data-driven research. Raised between Oklahoma City and Mumbai, she earned a Chemical Engineering degree from OU and a Master of Public Policy from Duke University. Her work focuses on how fiscal policy shapes issues like poverty, food insecurity, and criminal justice reform. She’s passionate about using clear, accessible information to help build a better Oklahoma.
When she’s not working, she enjoys Oklahoma sunsets, cooking, and restorative naps.
Schedule
5:30pm – Doors open
6:00pm – Welcome & Icebreakers
6:25pm – Presentation by OK Policy
7:00pm – Q&A / Open Discussion