OCPA: Crying for More

By OCPA President Jonathan Small

From the first moments of the special legislative session, it was clear that special interests, their lobbyists, and tax consumers were talking solely about tax increases.

Seeing the denial of reality, a number of voices and allied groups sought to restore some sanity with a joint letter reminding those at 23rd and Lincoln what true fiscal conservatism is and how it could balance the budget.

The letter sought, “to urge you to address the need for more consolidation and other efficiencies in all areas of state government and to resist raising taxes on your constituents.”

The picture is simple: the Supreme Court rightly ruled a $215 million cigarette tax passed in the regular session was unconstitutional. Lawmakers had two choices – raise taxes or reform the wasteful structure of state government to save money.

Policymakers must not forget that state government executive press releases and certified revenue documents show that lawmakers have already enacted legislation increasing annual revenue for appropriation by more than $500 million over the last three sessions to help state government avoid the hard choices Oklahomans are making.

Here’s a truth those crying for more won’t admit: when you factor in all sources of revenue, Oklahoma state government is spending at all-time record high levels. Even before the special session, we were on track to spend $17.9 billion this year. State spending has risen by $3.83 billion in the past decade.

This at a time when Oklahoma’s citizens have seen their income drop by $13 billion due to an oil recession. They can’t just vote themselves a raise like tax consumers want state leaders to do to their constituents. They’ve had to curtail spending and set priorities, which is what this special session needs to be solely focused on.

A state that continues to try to fund more than 500 school districts, nearly 50 college campuses, at least four separate law enforcement agencies, two distinct road agencies, and dozens and dozens of various licensing and regulatory boards and commissions simply has no business asking the hard-working, hard-pressed taxpayers to pony up more dollars to be frittered away.

Last week, OCPA offered reforms saving at least $383.97 million to fill the budget gap and give classroom teachers a $3,800 pay raise. They included Medicaid enrollment audits, converting some agencies to non-appropriated status, and ending cronyism for the wind industry, Hollywood, and Indian tribes selling cigarettes. These reforms must be implemented during the special session.

Americans once said that taxation without representation was wrong. Today, taxation without reform is just as wrong.

Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (www.ocpathink.org).


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