PLUGGING THE RHETORIC; Memo: Voters Want Lower Taxes, Less Government
Editor’s Note: Last week, much was made of new polling which seemed to show an appetite in the Sooner State to raise the gross production tax to fund the state budget. Despite the hype and several public misconceptions from those opposed to further Oklahoma oil/gas production and drilling we decided to ask Pat McFerron, one of Oklahoma’s most respected pollsters, to give TheOkie the real download on the state of play and it’s impact on industry.
The interesting thing is that it is mathematically impossible to fund a teacher pay raise by cutting spending on other services. Every other area of government also has already had massive cuts and no raises in salaries.
Those who respond with those kinds of answers do not connect with reality. And those politicians who still push that point of view most likely know they are lying. This is how a teacher salary increase was “passed” last year but never funded. Because the funds aren’t there.
Those who think raising all GPT to 7%, which would be much higher than Texas, are being foolish. What do you think will happen if the OG tax environment and overall cost environment in Texas is so much lower for oil and gas production? Making OK less competitive in an industry that accounts for nearly 25% of our state’s taxes is just stupid.
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