Thursday, February 9th 2017, 7:18 pm
Gov. Mary Fallin is proposing a billion dollars-worth of new taxes to help the state avoid future budget shortfalls, and to provide a windfall of money for smaller communities. But legislators say the governor's tax plan just won't fly.
"In all, the Governor's plan would add sales tax to more than 160-services that aren't currently taxed. Everything from doctors' visits and funeral services to pet grooming and tattoos. Lawmakers say those kinds of tax increases just won't jibe with a largely conservative legislature.
State lawmakers are working to bridge an estimated $868-million budget shortfall, but those News 9 spoke with say raising taxes to the degree the Governor proposed in her state of the state address is not the answer.
"It's a pretty steep hill to climb because the way Oklahoma State law is written that's a 75% vote in both chambers in order to move those measures forward. It's a pretty high hurdle to clear," said President Pro Tempore, Mike Schulz.
Lawmakers News 9 spoke with are willing to raise some taxes. They really have to, to bridge this budget deficit. Just where we'll see those tax increases is still up for debate.
February 9th, 2017
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