Oklahoma
Oklahoma exhibits dual governance: McGirt decision created tribal jurisdiction over eastern Oklahoma while oil/gas and Cushing hub remain central to the economy.
Oklahoma's economy divides between energy extraction and an unprecedented experiment in tribal sovereignty. The 2020 McGirt Supreme Court decision affirmed that much of eastern Oklahoma remains reservation land, giving Cherokee, Muscogee, and other nations jurisdiction over tribal citizens. This has created parallel governance structures with economic implications still unfolding—casinos, healthcare, and economic development now operate under tribal authority across a significant portion of the state.
Oil and natural gas remain central to the economy, with Oklahoma ranking among top producing states. Oklahoma City's Devon Energy and Tulsa's Williams Companies anchor an energy sector that cycles with commodity prices. The Cushing oil storage hub determines national oil pricing, giving Oklahoma infrastructure importance that extends beyond production volumes.
Aerospace and defense provide diversification: Tinker Air Force Base near Oklahoma City is among the largest employers, while American Airlines maintains a major hub at Tulsa. The state attracts business through low costs and central location but struggles to retain educated workers who leave for Texas, Colorado, or the coasts. Oklahoma's future depends on whether energy transition generates new opportunities or accelerates decline, and whether tribal economic development creates broader prosperity or concentrates gains within sovereign boundaries.