Census says state residents paying more taxes

<br>(Tulsa-AP) -- Oklahoma has taken in more in taxes as percentage of personal income than the national average. <br><br>State officials say an influx of low-wage jobs in the Oklahoma Panhandle's

Wednesday, October 11th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Tulsa-AP) -- Oklahoma has taken in more in taxes as percentage of personal income than the national average.

State officials say an influx of low-wage jobs in the Oklahoma Panhandle's growing hog production industry contributed to the trend.

The finding is reflected in U-S Census Bureau figures released today comparing 1998 with 1999.

Oklahoma lags behind the national average based on per capita taxes.

Shawn Ashley is a spokesman for the State Finance Office. Ashley says some economists are saying Oklahoma has an income growth problem rather than a job creation problem.

Ashley says a contributing factor is the difference in wages for new jobs created compared with higher-paying jobs lost in the 1980s oil bust.

Census Bureau figures indicate that Oklahoma's per capita tax burden rose from $1,584 to $1,613.