Taxpayer plan draws fire at state Capitol

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Some Democratic state lawmakers say a so-called taxpayer bill of rights that's the subject of an initiative petition drive would wreck Oklahoma's education and health care

Wednesday, September 21st 2005, 5:27 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Some Democratic state lawmakers say a so-called taxpayer bill of rights that's the subject of an initiative petition drive would wreck Oklahoma's education and health care systems.

State Representative Danny Morgan of Prague said Wednesday that a similar plan -- commonly known as TABOR -- has nearly decimated Colorado's public schools, health care system and higher education facilities.

Colorado residents are to vote in November on whether to keep or rescind TABOR.

Representative bill Nations says Colorado is facing a health care crisis because of TABOR. Nations says he fears a similar fate in Oklahoma if the proposition is adopted.

The lawmakers say there's no need for TABOR in Oklahoma since the state already has provisions to limit spending and require a statewide referendum before taxes can be raised.