Posted on 12/29/2001 12:13:26 AM PST by jbstrick
State income tax rate rises
2001-12-28
By Diane Plumberg Clay
The Oklahoman
After studying the problem for an extra week, state equalization board members this morning couldn't find a way to avoid a move that automatically raised Oklahoma's income tax rate for 2002.
As of Tuesday, the rate rises to 7 percent. The board, which is charged with certifying the amount of money the Legislature has to spend for fiscal year 2003, unanimously approved the state's projected revenue for that year.
The total was about $105 million less than the projection for the current fiscal year, which by law, automatically triggers a tax increase.
The rates revert back to the 1998 level at 7 percent instead of dropping to 6.65 percent as planned Jan. 1. Several members of the board said they will push for a change in the law during the next legislative session to eliminate the automatic trigger.
"The worst time to raise taxes is during a recession," state Treasurer Robert Butkin said after the meeting.
Oklahoma's total budget for fiscal year 2003 is projected to be about $5.1 billion. It will be adjusted in February, but changes will not affect the tax increase.
Isn't it interesting that laws like this never trigger a cut in spending? They always trigger a tax increase. And the people will just bend over and take it.
Got that right! Just a note for people from other States -- OK's both houses of the legislature are run by RATS who said they had to spend time with their families rather than meet in session to consider the Keating tax cut proposal. Those Clymers (RATS) were not with their families -- they were at a RAT retreat! And now we find out our income tax rate is rising instead of lowering that Keating wanted! Didn't the RATS aka morons ever hear of spending less when you receive less.
GOP needs to take control of the House and Senate and kick out the likes of Gene Stipes and the rest of the RATS that don't want to give us a tax cut! Never lived in a state that charged me tax on "all" groceries including milk until we moved here! Just what do they do with the money? One thing I would cut first is the amount of money each legislator makes which is near the top for the Country. Texas meets once every two years, does their budget for two years, and are paid a lot less! These morons meet every year and all they do is argue! Then they pass a budget that is unconstitutional and almost shut down the State Government. (BTW -- might not be a bad idea as long as we didn't have to pay the legislator salaries!)
And to put the cherry on top..I received my State Of Oklahoma Income Tax booklet...a few days before Christmas, as a "nice" Christmas present...How thoughtful... How nice....How wonderful....How considerate...How timely... What a Christmas gift....
I'll be sure to tell my RAT Rep..what I think of it...hehehe. And I will expect the ''canned'' reply.
And the beat goes on....................................
Balkman is anti-tax, wants a tax holiday, to do away with taxes on groceries, etc. He is my kind of Rep! BTW, he does answer his correspondence and was really supportive of Right to Work! Sure hope we can take over at least one House in 2002! We are only two short of taking over the House after the RAT defected to our side!
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