City Takes Stand Against River Tax

Wednesday, September 19th 2007, 5:00 pm

By: News On 6

A group representing Tulsa's largest suburb takes a stand against the Arkansas River tax. A resolution opposing the tax was approved Wednesday by the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. This vote by the Chamber Board represents just one piece of a larger opposition to the tax in Broken Arrow, where resolutions against it were passed by the school board and city council. The News On 6â€™s Emory Bryan reports only the chamber's resolution directly states the opposition, but the other two say the tax will do nothing for Broken Arrow.

Mickey Thompson says the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors didn't come to the decision without some hesitation.

â€œIn the end, we just couldn't at the expense of our needs, see our way clear to support this tax, and we're not proud of it, or boastful, but felt like it was something we had to do,â€ said Mickey Thompson with the Broken Arrow Chamber.

Thompson says Broken Arrow must reserve the extra tax that would go to the river for future, but unspecified needs in Broken Arrow.

"We are not opposing it because we are opposed to the project, but over the next seven to ten years we have our own more critical needs for tax dollars to invest in our own community," Thompson said.

The vote was by the board of the chamber, not the membership, and there are differing opinions among the members.

Scott Miller is a Broken Arrow resident and Tulsa business owner, who believes developing the river benefits both towns.

"I don't think the sales tax is that much and I think for the small cost of the extra sales tax, it would benefit Broken Arrow," he said.

This new opposition to the river project comes with all but the endorsement of the Broken Arrow School board and the Broken Arrow City Council, which have identical resolutions urging people to vote and spelling out all of the reasons to vote no.

The resolution passed by the city council and the school board is interesting reading that says Broken Arrow's residents, government, schools and businesses will get no benefit from developing the river. We talked with several Broken Arrow business owners Wednesday who strongly disagree with that assessment, and who are encouraging their employees to vote for it.

To read the city council and school boardâ€™s resolution, click here.

Watch the video: River Tax Faces More Opposition

Tulsa County residents head to the polls on October 9. Before you head to the polls check out the most comprehensive coverage of this issue by clicking here.

Related Stories:

2/9/2007 Record Donation Aids Expansion Of River Parks Trail

6/20/2007 River Development Plans

6/21/2007 New Plans For Arkansas River Development

7/17/2007 River Development Reaches Another Landmark

7/18/2007 River Developments Hinges On Vote Of The People

7/18/2007 Arkansas River Development Plan Announced

7/19/2007 Campaign Planned To Push River Development

7/20/2007 River Development Plan Similar To One Already Passed

7/26/2007 City Councilor Has A New Plan To Pay For River Development

7/29/2007 Explaining Development Along The Arkansas River

7/30/2007 River Tax Debate Continues

7/31/2007 River Plan Not Popular With Tulsa County Residents

7/31/2007 River Plan Reactions

8/9/2007 River Development Plans Move Ahead

8/21/2007 River Tax Groups Turn To The Internet For Support

8/22/2007 Republican Group Against Arkansas River Tax

9/4/2007 Our River Yes Kicks Off River Development Campaign

9/5/2007 People For And Against River Tax Begin Campaigns

9/6/2007 Groups Battling For Votes On Arkansas River Tax

9/8/2007 North Tulsa Residents Rally Against River Tax

9/9/2007 River Tax Supporters Face Upstream Battle

9/13/2007 Rock The River Looks For Your Vote With Entertainment

9/16/2007 More People Getting Behind River Tax Plan

9/19/2007 Students Debate River Tax Plan