Sales tax exemptions

Friday, April 4th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Lawmakers are looking at lifting some state sales tax exemptions to raise revenue and avoid dramatic cuts in state services due to a budget shortfall, House Speaker Larry Adair says.

The idea was opposed by House Republicans, who said lifting tax exemptions would further damage the state's faltering economy.

``We've had a clear message that that would be very damaging to our economy across the state,'' said Minority Leader Todd Hiett, R-Kellyville.

``To increase taxes is the wrong thing to do to an economy that is already struggling,'' Hiett said Thursday.

A spokesman for The State Chamber, Ronn Cupp, senior vice president for government affairs, also expressed opposition.

Adair, D-Stilwell, said legislative leaders are studying whether to lift some of the $2 billion in sales tax exemptions that allow some businesses not to charge and collect state sales taxes.