In the last few months several legislators joined with the Governor’s Task Force on Economic Development to urge Oklahoma to gradually eliminate the state’s personal income tax over the next 10 years. Consequently, it would not be a surprise if legislators will be asked to vote on the idea. Unfortunately, the evidence indicates that eliminating […]
counterpoint
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Counterpoint: Bad tax model
But is eliminating the income tax here really the panacea some state leaders think it is, and can Oklahoma really emulate Texas, which is often cited as a tax model? No. On the surface, the proposal seems tempting. Most people don’t like paycheck taxes, state or otherwise, even though they enjoy and often take for […]
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Counterpoint: The private sector’s responsibility
It is a worthy project. However, neither merit nor nobility by themselves justify a public expenditure. As lawmakers, we must be judicious in our allocation of public monies. To be responsible with the public trust, we must be prudent in our spending and hold state agencies accountable. When AICCM, a state agency, approached the Legislature […]
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Counterpoint: GOP undermines funding
In an ideal world, tuition-free, public college education, well-funded by the government, would be the best way to create a more educated, informed citizenry. College-educated people lead healthier lives and make this country and state more prosperous through innovation and creativity. Investing in higher education is paramount for any state that wants to thrive by […]