Opposition to Fallin’s Tax Hike Grows in Legislature

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: State Rep. George Faught
Office: (405) 557-7310

Opposition to Fallin’s Tax Hike Grows in Legislature

OKLAHOMA CITY- Opposition continues to grow in the State Capitol over Gov. Mary Fallin's proposed $1.7 billion sales tax expansion, with 13 legislators adding their names in opposition. 27 legislators are now publicly on the record against the Fallin sales tax hike.

In her State of the State address, Governor Fallin presented a plan that would tax 164 different categories of services provided by Oklahoma small businesses and entrepreneurs. By the governor's own estimate, this would result in a tax hike of more than $1.7 Billion.

"We have been elected to represent our constituents and make the hard choices necessary to run state government. Their voice is loud and clear: no new taxes," said State Rep. George Faught, R-Muskogee. "I'm proud to stand with my fellow legislators in the fight to protect Oklahomans from higher taxes."

"This would be the largest tax increase in Oklahoma since at least 1985," said State Rep. Dustin Roberts, R-Durant. "Expanding or raising the sales tax is absolutely the wrong idea."

"Oklahoma families and small businesses are taxed enough already,” said State Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville. "I am completely against this tax increase."

"Oklahoma voters have already said that they don't want more sales taxes," said State Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair. "We have to acknowledge their wishes and look elsewhere for the solution, even if it is a tough choice."

"This massive tax increase would have a terrible impact on Oklahoma families, especially considering the weakness of our current economy," said State Rep. Jeff Coody, R-Grandfield. "Let's not punish consumers and small businesses by burdening them with more taxes."

Citing their fundamental disagreements with Gov. Fallin's proposed tax hike, the following conservative legislators pledged to do what they can to stop this tax increase from becoming law:

State Rep. John Bennett (R-Sallisaw)
State Rep. David Brumbaugh (R-Broken Arrow)
State Rep. Kevin Calvey (R-Oklahoma City)
State Rep. Bobby Cleveland (R-Slaughterville)
State Rep. George Faught (R-Muskogee)
State Rep. Kevin McDugle (R-Broken Arrow)
State Rep. Lewis Moore (R-Edmond)
State Rep. Mike Ritze (R-Broken Arrow)
State Rep. Chuck Strohm (R-Jenks)
NEW: State Rep. Rande Worthen (R-Lawton)
NEW: State Rep. Dustin Roberts (R-Durant)
NEW: State Rep. Scott McEachin (R-Tulsa)
NEW: State Rep. John Enns (R-Enid)
NEW: State Rep. Dale Derby (R- Owasso)
NEW: State Rep. Casey Murdock (R-Felt)
NEW: State Rep. Scooter Park (R-Devol)
NEW: State Rep. Jeff Coody (R-Grandfield)
State Sen. Mark Allen (R-Spiro)
State Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow)
State Sen. James Leewright (R-Bristow)
State Sen. Marty Quinn (R-Claremore)
State Sen. Anthony Sykes (R-Moore)
NEW: State Sen. Micheal Bergstrom (R-Adair)
NEW: State Sen. Julie Daniels (R-Bartlesville)
NEW: State Sen. Bill Brown (R-Broken Arrow)
NEW: State Sen. Ralph Shortey (R-Oklahoma City)
NEW: State Sen. Joseph Silk (R-Broken Bow)

MuskogeePolitico series: Read more stories about Fallin's tax hike