Rather Than Tax, GOP House Planning To Raise Fees In Effort To Avoid Special Session
Legislature will avoid special session, lawmaker says, as cigarette fee proposed to close budget hole
By Barbara Hoberock Tulsa World
OKLAHOMA CITY — Lawmakers will attempt to pass a $1.50 fee on cigarettes in lieu of a tax in an effort to close the state’s budget hole, a well-placed source told Tulsa World on Tuesday.
House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, said lawmakers expect to be adjourned by Friday. He said lawmakers will avoid a special session.
The cigarette fee is expected to generate $215 million.
Passing a fee increases requires only 51 votes in the House as opposed to 76 for tax increases. The GOP-controlled House has been unable to pass it as a tax.