More Evidence Oklahomans Are Overtaxed
by Bob McDowell, Contributing Author: Again we are told, if the story can be found, that the 2018 'special session No.2' massive tax increases levied on Oklahomans by the Legislature were totally unnecessary surfaced in the June 7 issue of the daily news paper in Tulsa. What in my opinion should have been a 'front page' story was small and hidden on page A3 that carried the headline: "State's gross collections jump 14 percent, set record for May". Credit for the story was given to Barbara Hoberock of the World Staff
In the third paragraph State Treasurer Ken Miller was quoted: "As has been the case each month for more than a year, Oklahoma's economy is showing signs of ongoing expansion. In just the past 14 months, since 12-month collections last bottomed out, gross receipts have grown by more than $1.3 billion, an increase of more than 12 percent." Earlier it stated that the May collections were nearly $971 million. That is almost one Billion dollars for just one month.
These increased collections were referred to earlier in the year while the Legislature was still in its regular AND special sessions and the necessity for the largest in history tax increase was being determined. Regardless, the 'big spenders' in control went ahead and bowed to the teacher union protests/strike and passed the onerous bill. Sadly, those in control carry an "R" behind their name in their voter registration. Shame on the voters in the districts they represent who put them there. It is possible that for them there really was not another option, granted.
To their credit a group began by former Senator Dr. Tom Coburn had gone to work to put together a proposal for a ballot issue in November that would, if passed, repeal the laws passed for the 'largest tax increase in State history'. The petitions to put it on the November election ballot were in being circulated for signatures with over 42,000 being necessary for success. Then a group believed to be sponsored by the 'teachers unions' filed a protest suit to declare the petitions 'unconstitutional'. After delaying actions to get it to the State Supreme Court until a favorable decision for them would render not enough time to counter a Court decision against, in a reported 7 to 0 decision, did on a technicality' so find.
The groups involved in the response have not yet issued a decision on what, if any, response they will attempt. It should be remembered that the, reported to me, State Constitution has a provision that any tax increase must pass the Legislature by a 67% majority or go to a vote of the people. The details of how these increases were able to avoid that provision are not clear in my mind.
It seems that there will be one or more of those judges on the November ballot for 'retention or rejection' and we would be proper in voting to reject all there so that the newly elected Governor would be able to nominate replacements. The Court has too long, in my opinion, consisted of members with mental bias toward the "left" (C/S) side of the political philosophy. Sadly that seems to be also true down to the lower courts. A change in the law to allow party affiliation being shown for judges at all levels would serve to make things more even and fair. At least that is my firm and unshakable opinion!
In any event, the continued increase in tax receipts by the State makes the recent tax increases even more unnecessary and immoral. They should be repealed before they adversely affect the fiscal well being of the citizens and economy. Oklahoma has long had the reputation for being a high tax state and that needs to be changed for the better for our own prosperity. Unfortunately, when the 'truth in advertising' laws were enacted political laws were excluded from coverage. The totally nasty and usually untrue trash recently endured in the primaries is a good example of the need for change there. I'm not optimistic that the Legislature members will pass such changes.
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Robert "Bob" McDowell, Jr. is a retired Professional Engineer and Geologist with over 50 years experience in creating drilling prospects, supervising drilling, well completion, production operation, and pipeline design for oil and gas including repair of problem wells. McDowell is a conservative activist and member of the Oklahoma Republican Assembly. He Contributes opinion and commentary articles to the ARRA News Service.
Tags: Bob McDowell, more evidence, Oklahomans, overtaxed, legislature, Oklahoma To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service and "Like" Facebook Page - Thanks!
In the third paragraph State Treasurer Ken Miller was quoted: "As has been the case each month for more than a year, Oklahoma's economy is showing signs of ongoing expansion. In just the past 14 months, since 12-month collections last bottomed out, gross receipts have grown by more than $1.3 billion, an increase of more than 12 percent." Earlier it stated that the May collections were nearly $971 million. That is almost one Billion dollars for just one month.
These increased collections were referred to earlier in the year while the Legislature was still in its regular AND special sessions and the necessity for the largest in history tax increase was being determined. Regardless, the 'big spenders' in control went ahead and bowed to the teacher union protests/strike and passed the onerous bill. Sadly, those in control carry an "R" behind their name in their voter registration. Shame on the voters in the districts they represent who put them there. It is possible that for them there really was not another option, granted.
To their credit a group began by former Senator Dr. Tom Coburn had gone to work to put together a proposal for a ballot issue in November that would, if passed, repeal the laws passed for the 'largest tax increase in State history'. The petitions to put it on the November election ballot were in being circulated for signatures with over 42,000 being necessary for success. Then a group believed to be sponsored by the 'teachers unions' filed a protest suit to declare the petitions 'unconstitutional'. After delaying actions to get it to the State Supreme Court until a favorable decision for them would render not enough time to counter a Court decision against, in a reported 7 to 0 decision, did on a technicality' so find.
The groups involved in the response have not yet issued a decision on what, if any, response they will attempt. It should be remembered that the, reported to me, State Constitution has a provision that any tax increase must pass the Legislature by a 67% majority or go to a vote of the people. The details of how these increases were able to avoid that provision are not clear in my mind.
It seems that there will be one or more of those judges on the November ballot for 'retention or rejection' and we would be proper in voting to reject all there so that the newly elected Governor would be able to nominate replacements. The Court has too long, in my opinion, consisted of members with mental bias toward the "left" (C/S) side of the political philosophy. Sadly that seems to be also true down to the lower courts. A change in the law to allow party affiliation being shown for judges at all levels would serve to make things more even and fair. At least that is my firm and unshakable opinion!
In any event, the continued increase in tax receipts by the State makes the recent tax increases even more unnecessary and immoral. They should be repealed before they adversely affect the fiscal well being of the citizens and economy. Oklahoma has long had the reputation for being a high tax state and that needs to be changed for the better for our own prosperity. Unfortunately, when the 'truth in advertising' laws were enacted political laws were excluded from coverage. The totally nasty and usually untrue trash recently endured in the primaries is a good example of the need for change there. I'm not optimistic that the Legislature members will pass such changes.
---------------
Robert "Bob" McDowell, Jr. is a retired Professional Engineer and Geologist with over 50 years experience in creating drilling prospects, supervising drilling, well completion, production operation, and pipeline design for oil and gas including repair of problem wells. McDowell is a conservative activist and member of the Oklahoma Republican Assembly. He Contributes opinion and commentary articles to the ARRA News Service.
Tags: Bob McDowell, more evidence, Oklahomans, overtaxed, legislature, Oklahoma To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service and "Like" Facebook Page - Thanks!
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