School group, legislator surprised by new tax

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A new state tax on some items sold in nonprofit fund-raisers is a surprise to one of its legislative sponsors who said he has doubts about the measure now. <br><br>``I would not

Monday, September 16th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A new state tax on some items sold in nonprofit fund-raisers is a surprise to one of its legislative sponsors who said he has doubts about the measure now.

``I would not mind at all reversing that and giving groups like band boosters and things like this the ability to sell jewelry,'' said Rep. Kevin Calvey, R-Del City.

The law requires a 7.75 percent sales tax on fundraising items that cost at least $50.

The law, which became effective July 1, seems to have gone without notice until Edmond's Santa Fe High School booster club began selling senior class rings to raise money for band trips and materials. The school's jewelry supplier said he was told about the law by another jeweler.

``When we're in such a crunch, cutting back education, why would the Legislature tax a nonprofit organization?'' said Cindy Volpe, a mother of an Edmond band member. ``We are just trying to do the right thing. If we need to be paying a tax, that's fine, but just tell us about it.''

Volpe estimates the boosters sold about 15 to 20 rings before finding out about the law. Volunteers have had to call the buyers and explain that from $10 to $25 would be added to the price of each ring.

Calvey said he did not know about the provision until someone from Edmond called him. Calvey said he thought he was voting for a bill that dealt only with tax abatements.

``I do not know who did that,'' he said. ``Sometimes in order to get a bill passed, some of the leadership will say, 'I'll pass your bill but only if you put this in there.' This looks like that kind of deal. I simply don't know.''

Calvey said he will ask the Oklahoma Tax Commission to delay collecting the tax in the hope that lawmakers can reverse the law before rings are delivered in the spring.

``We are certainly going to try,'' he said.

Oklahoma City Sen. Brooks Douglass was another author of the revenue and taxation bill. He was not available for comment.