Dear Friend, Tomorrow, the House and Senate are expected to cast final votes on a plan to solve the budget emergency that includes multiple revenue sources, including increases in the cigarette tax and motor fuel tax and a higher gross production tax (4 percent) for the first 36 months of production. The plan generates enough revenue to avert major cuts to state agencies. It also restores the state Earned Income Tax Credit and provides raises for teachers and state employees beginning next year. The bills are expected to be heard in committee today and by the full House and Senate tomorrow. Oklahoma Policy Institute believes this plan to be the best possible outcome under the circumstances. While far from the ideal solution, the plan offers crucial recognition that the state’s budget ills can only be addressed through new recurring revenues and provides a measure of fairness by curbing the tax break for oil and gas companies and restoring the earned income tax credit. Most urgently, it averts catastrophic cuts to our health care system and social safety net while providing crucial pay raises for teachers and state employees. There is still much more work to do to ensure a fairer tax system and a budget that meets the needs of Oklahomans, but now is the time to approve this compromise and bring the budget emergency to an end. We encourage you to contact your legislators today and urge them to support this compromise plan. Click here to find your legislators. See our Advocacy Alert for talking points and additional resources and our Special Session Frequently Asked Questions. Thank you for your continued interest and support. Best, David | Oklahoma Policy Institute
907 S Detroit Ave, Suite 1005
Tulsa, OK 74120
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