Rally Held Against River Tax Proposal

Monday, September 24th 2007, 9:07 pm

By: News On 6

Those against the 4/10ths of a cent sales tax increase rallied in Tulsa Monday night. News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports supporters say the sales tax would put water in the Arkansas River, and new life into the area bringing jobs and visitors to Tulsa. But opponents say they're for river development, but they don't think the tax increase is the right way to do it.

Before a crowd of about 100 people, opponents of the river tax increase rallied. Those opponents say Tulsa County residents are already overtaxed.

â€œI'm all for developing the river; I'm just opposed to taxes. I mean there is a limit to what people can pay," says river opponent Donna Toucher.

If approved, the money will pay for more low water dams, pedestrian bridges, and open the door for commercial development along the river.

"I'm all for private development, and we shouldn't be held hostage by private developers,â€ says Tulsa County resident Pat Highland.

While many would like to see river development, the opponents don't think a tax increase is the best or only way to do it.

â€œThe tidal wave of taxes that the politicians continue to put on us year after year after year, is just about to sink the family budget," says State Senator Randy Brogden.

Other opponents say a county tax takes away from the cityâ€™s ability to tax for city needs.

â€œI'm sick and tired of being sick and tired of the county, of the counties running the cities," said Tulsa City Councilor Roscoe Turner.

With the vote headed down the homestretch, opponents are cautiously optimistic about the outcome.

"If the grassroots will get out and vote, we can defeat this in a landslide,â€ says Toucher.

If the river tax passes, it would run from January of next year through 2014.

For complete information, click on The River Vote

Watch the video: No River Tax Forum

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