Tax Hikes Continue To Take Center Stage In Budget Countdown
Lawmakers trying to fill budget hole by raising taxes, fees
By Tim Talley, Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Legislature faces political gridlock as lawmakers balk at legislation to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue and close an $878 million hole in next year’s budget to avoid catastrophic cuts to state agencies and services.
Republican Gov. Mary Fallin has called for a “major overhaul” of the state’s tax system and says she is willing to veto any budget that does not include new revenue for the fiscal year that begins July 1 — the third consecutive year the state has faced a budget shortfall.
“We have a crisis. We have an emergency. We need to deal with it now,” Fallin said during a news conference on Wednesday, barely three weeks before lawmakers are constitutionally required to adjourn on May 26.
I have yet to hear one recommendation for a cut in spending! Tax increases are the exact wrong thing needed to get our economy humming and revenues growing!
How about consolidating school districts? Politicians rarely do the right thing because they are always worrying about re-election, rather than doing what is best for taxpayers! They like to give things away, because it’s not their money!
Here’s another idea. Follow the example of Texas and put an end to sanctuary cities! I’m pretty sure OKC and Tulsa are undercover sanctuary cities! Check out numbers of Hispanic kids in your schools, and I promise you will be shocked by many schools in these two cities!