Tough Decisions Faced Republicans This Legislative Session
Oklahoma GOP lawmakers reverse themselves on lower taxes, smaller government
By Sean Murphy Associated Press, May 28, 2017
OKLAHOMA CITY — Within hours of being sworn into office, newly elected Republican state Rep. Zack Taylor faced a tough choice — whether to approve a series of tax hikes that would generate an estimated $500 million to help close a hole in Oklahoma’s budget.
Fresh off the doorsteps of the eastern Oklahoma County voters who sent him there, Taylor had gotten an earful from residents.
“I didn’t feel comfortable casting that vote for my district,” said Taylor, R-Seminole, who ended up voting against the measure.
“They just don’t feel like they should have to pay too much more in taxes at this time,” said Taylor, who started his job last week following a special election to fill an empty House seat.