State party chiefs debate at conference

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The chairmen of Oklahoma's Democratic and Republican parties are sparring over taxes, right to work and "shell" legislation. Democratic Party Chairman Mike Mass and Republican

Wednesday, December 8th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The chairmen of Oklahoma's Democratic and Republican parties are sparring over taxes, right to work and "shell" legislation. Democratic Party Chairman Mike Mass and Republican Party Chairman Steve Edwards went head-to-head at the annual meeting of the State Chamber.

Edwards said that every half-point drop in the state income tax helps create thousands of new jobs. But Mass said Oklahoma already has the 47th lowest tax rate in the nation. Mass said Oklahoma has the lowest teacher pay, the eighth highest rate of children in poverty and the likelihood of several hospital closings. He says that state can't afford to lower taxes and address those problems at the same time.