LIFELINE OR ENDANGERMENT?

Weekly Opinion Editorial

OKLAHOMA’S REPUTATION!

by Steve Fair

     Five of Oklahoma’s former governors have publicly endorsed the ‘Step Up Oklahoma’ plan put forth by civic and business leaders from across the state.  Former Democrat governors Boren, Nigh, Walters and Henry along with Republican Keating unanimously praised the Step Up plan.  Keating said, “Paralysis and dysfunction are not credible public policies.  Revenue failures damage the credibility of our state.  Step Up has thrown us a lifeline.  The package deserves debate and a vote.”

     While the current chief executive and five former Oklahoma governors may support the Step Up plan, it doesn’t appear any of the six Republicans seeking the job in November 2018 are joining them.  Raising taxes is not a popular concept among GOP primary voters, so that is not surprising. 

     Gary Richardson said, “A much more appropriate title for this absurd plan would be ‘Pay Up Oklahoma.’  I’m shocked to see people calling themselves Republicans advocating for the largest tax increase in the history of Oklahoma.”   Kevin Stitt, also Republican said, “I respect the business people who developed the Step Up Oklahoma package, but I do not believe an $800 million tax increase is the answer to fixing a broken state government.” Echoing Stit’s praise for the group, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said, “I don't want to mislead people into thinking that my first instinct when there's a budget issue is to raise taxes. That's not my history and it's not what we've done in Oklahoma City. I see where they are and I think it's a wise thing to do to put a lot of things out there and discuss it.” While Dan Fisher hasn’t publically said he opposes Step Up, it’s a cinch he does since he has former POTUS Calvin Coolidge’s quote on his website that says, “Collecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legalized robbery.” State Auditor Gary Jones agrees with some of the proposals, but opposes the lowering of the 75% supermajority needed to raise taxes by the legislature.  “If they believe the revenue increase is necessary and can’t get to 75%, send it to a vote of the people where they can get it passed with a simple majority,” Jones said. Lt. Governor Todd Lamb told Payne County’s GOP organization that he opposes any tax increases, but supports the establishment of the Office of Budget Accountability and Transparency.

     Keating is absolutely right- paralysis and dysfunction are not credible public policies.  When conservative legislators refuse to compromise, pout and obstruct, more often than not the result is policy much worse than it has to be or no policy at all.  Conservatives need to make sure they have a seat at the negotiating table and get something rather than nothing.    

     The state legislature convenes next week and is expected to take up the Step Up tax increase plan.  Supporters will claim our state’s reputation will suffer if citizens don’t pay more taxes, but the lack of resolve to find waste in state government hurts Oklahoma’s reputation more.  Throwing money at government is not a lifeline, its endangerment.