Just The Facts: Candidate Voting Records on 2016-2018 Tax Hikes

There are a number of current or former Republican state legislators running for higher office, and I wanted to do a post on their voting records during the 2016-2018 tax hike spree that Governor Mary Fallin and the GOP-led legislature went on (I ran the first version of this post during the 2022 election). 

During good economic times, Republicans like to run on tax cuts and no-new-taxes pledges, but the real test of their espoused principles comes during economic downturns and belt-tightening eras. Will their rhetoric match their governing, when push comes to shove and budgets have to be balanced? Will their instinct be to raise taxes, or to cut government?

So, without further ado, Just The Facts: 2026 Candidate Voting Records on Major Tax and Fee Increases in the Oklahoma Legislature, 2016-2018. We will specifically be looking at the voting record of 12 current or former Republican legislators who are on the June 16th GOP primary election ballot for statewide or congressional offices.

The colors I used in the following graphics are not 'green for good, red for bad'. Green means they voted for the tax increase measure, Red means they voted against the tax increase measure, Gray means they missed the vote, and blank means they were not eligible to vote (for example, Sen. Mazzei left office in 2016, and was only around to vote on three of these bills; Humphrey, Pugh, and West didn't enter office until the 2016 election, and thus their votes start in 2017. In other cases the bill either did not receive a hearing in that legislative chamber or the member was not on the committee where a vote took place). 

The very last measure in each graphic, HJR1050, is perhaps the most important of these recorded votes, as a green/yes vote there indicates that the legislator voted to make it much easier for the Legislature to raise your taxes.

Let's dive in. The following five former state legislators are running for Governor or U.S. Congress (with former state senators Brecheen and Bice being current members of Congress):

(click to view larger)

Of these five former legislators, only Brecheen was in the small group of legislative conservatives who valiantly fought a losing effort against the onslaught of tax hikes. Speaker Charles McCall, in particular, ignominiously supported and promoted every tax increase proposal during this time period.

The next graphic examines seven other current or former Republican state legislators from that time period who are on the ballot for other statewide offices:

CPAC overlooks tax hike record to give early endorsement to Echols for Attorney General

Echols is the only public candidate for Attorney General at this very early stage, which makes this endorsement from CPAC somewhat risky. One only needs to look at past Oklahoma elections like the 2004 U.S. Senate or 2022 2nd Congressional District races to see wisdom in keeping one's powder dry until the field develops.

Furthermore, while Echols touts helping (as one of 149 legislators) pass the 'largest tax cut in state history', Echols was one of 44 House Republicans to vote in 2018 to gut taxpayer protections and make it easier to raise taxes on every Oklahoman (HJR 1050). Echols went a step further in supporting an amendment that would have lowered those taxpayer protections even further, from a 75% vote threshold for legislative approval of tax hikes (put in place by SQ640) all the way down to a mere 60% -- which would have meant a minority of Republicans could have partnered with the Democrats to pass tax increases. Additionally, it should be mentioned that Echols voted for most of the 2017-2018 tax hike proposals, including HB1010XX, the largest tax increase in Oklahoma history (plus an even larger tax hike that failed a month earlier).

Something to keep in mind: candidates running for office in 2026 will give you the rosiest picture of their record, without disclosing facts like these. Just sayin'...

Jon Echols Receives Endorsement from Leading Conservative Group, CPAC

Oklahoma City, OK - Today, Jon Echols, candidate for Attorney General, received the endorsement of CPAC, the nation’s oldest conservative grassroots organization.

Left-wing and right-wing OK think tanks unite on expanding sales tax to services?

It's not often that the main left-wing and right-wing think tanks in Oklahoma agree on tax policy, but we've entered something like the Twilight Zone.

Both the Oklahoma Policy Institute (left-wing) and the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (right-wing) have now promoted expanding Oklahoma's sales tax to cover most services, which are currently not included under the current taxation system. As some of you may recall, Governor Mary Fallin made a similar, very controversial proposal in 2017 (it never received legislative consideration).

Just The Facts: Candidate Voting Records on 2016-2018 Tax Hikes

There are a number of current or former state legislators running for higher office, and I wanted to do a quick post on their voting records from the 2016-2018 tax hike spree that Governor Mary Fallin and the GOP-led legislature went on. I already posted about how horrible State Rep. Avery Frix's voting record is ('Fiscal Failure Frix, the worst choice for conservatives in CD2'), so here are the facts about the others.

So, without further ado, Just The Facts: Legislative Voting Records on Major Tax and Fee Increases, 2016-2018.

Green means they voted for the measure (not good, in this case), Red means they voted against the measure (a good conservative vote), Gray means they missed the vote, and blank means they were not eligible to vote (in the case of Reps. Frix and Derby they were not in office; in other cases the bill either did not receive a hearing in that legislative chamber or the member was not on the committee where a vote took place).

The following six candidates are running for the 2nd Congressional District:

Click to view larger

Former State Rep. John Bennett has claimed that he never voted for a tax increase, but that is absolutely not true, as you can see from the above graphic. In 2016, he did not vote with the conservative core caucus on any of these tax/fee increase measures.

Fiscal Failure Frix, the worst choice for conservatives in CD2

Among the Republican candidates in the super crowded, 14-member 2nd Congressional District race is State Rep. Avery Frix (R-Muskogee), who is posturing himself as a super-conservative next-gen MAGA warrior intent on storming Washington.

Frix, elected to the State House in 2016, may be a registered Republican, but he's by no means a super-conservative. In fact, on many issues, he's simply not conservative. At all. Let me give you almost seven billion reasons why.

Senate passes bill ending vehicle sales tax hike they passed in 2017

They want you to congratulate them on cutting your taxes, when in reality the folks who were opposed to raising your taxes in the first place have been more than vindicated over the past several years.

For reference, here are the candidates for higher office who voted in 2017 to raise this tax on Oklahomans:

• State Sen. Kim David (running for Corporation Commissioner)
• State Rep. Avery Frix (running for 2nd District Congress)
• State Rep. Leslie Osborn (incumbent Labor Commissioner)
• State Rep. Dustin Roberts (running for 2nd District Congress)
• State Rep. Todd Thomsen (running for Corporation Commissioner)

Here are the candidates for higher office who were taxpayer champions and voted in 2017 against raising this tax on Oklahomans:

• State Sen. Josh Brecheen (running for 2nd District Congress)
• State Sen. Nathan Dahm (running for U.S. Senate, special election)
• State Sen. Marty Quinn (running for 2nd District Congress)
• State Rep. John Bennett (running for 2nd District Congress)
• State Rep. Kevin Calvey (running for Oklahoma County District Attorney)
• State Rep. Sean Roberts (running for Labor Commissioner)
• State Rep. Todd Russ (running for State Treasurer)

Remember their record, not their rhetoric, at the ballot box.

Senate approves bill eliminating motor vehicle sales tax

OKLAHOMA CITY – On Wednesday, the Senate approved Senate Bill 1075 to reinstate the full sales tax exemption on motor vehicles and tractor trailers. The Legislature removed the 1.25% of the exemption in 2017, but Sen. Kim David, R-Porter, said with revenues at record highs, it’s time to restore the much-needed tax relief for Oklahomans.

CD5 Runoff: Neese lays into Bice for tax-hike voting record

Over in the 5th Congressional District, Terry Neese (who placed first in the primary with 36.48%) is starting to hammer on Stephanie Bice (25.41% in the primary). Here's her latest press release, highlighting Bice's record on supporting the largest tax in state history (HB 1010XX in 2018):

GET TO KNOW THE REAL STEPHANIE BICE: A TAX-RAISING CONSERVATIVE FRAUD

After voting for the largest tax increase in state history, Bice is the last person Oklahomans can trust to stop the Democrats’ socialist agenda in Congress

Oklahoma City, OK -- Career politician Stephanie Bice is far from the so-called “conservative” she portrays to voters on the campaign trail - and her liberal record on taxes proves it. Since Bice will continue to lie to voters in a desperate attempt to advance her political career, it’s time for voters to get to know the real Stephanie Bice.

THE FAKE STEPHANIE BICE: Claims to be the only candidate who could stop Joe Biden’s economic proposal that calls for tax hikes and policies that would not help our recovering economy.

THE REAL STEPHANIE BICE: In the state senate, Bice voted for a $474 million revenue package - the largest tax increase in Oklahoma history.

OCPA column: Who's like whom?

Who’s like whom?

by Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

There’s been a lot of talk lately about which of the gubernatorial candidates is most like the current governor. Let’s look at it.

One of the biggest issues in Oklahoma the last four years has been tax increases. On this issue, Democrat candidate Drew Edmondson appears to be the most like the current administration.

In the current administration’s second term, we saw multiple pushes for tax increases totaling more than $2 billion annually. The current administration did succeed in their second term in increasing income taxes by more than $185 million on Oklahomans.

Edmondson has repeatedly called for more tax increases – including on income and capital gains, services, cigarettes, and oil and gas production.

The Republican candidate, Kevin Stitt, has said his outsider status and successful business experience are what is needed to make government more accountable and work more effectively. Noting economic growth and the corresponding revenue growth, he was opposed to enacted increases in annual taxes and revenues under the current administration – $1.1 billion since 2015.

The Libertarian candidate, Chris Powell, said that certain tax incentives should be eliminated and not more tax increases.

Consider also the Obamacare Medicaid expansion. The current administration on multiple occasions signaled public support for – and tried to push through – some form of Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion, whether it was the “Leavitt Plan” or the “Rebalance Plan” or some other iteration.

Edmondson has advocated repeatedly for Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion, saying it will save hospitals. Stitt maintains that significant cost overruns – and cutbacks in program services for the truly needy – in other states that have expanded this welfare program make it a government expansion that Oklahoma should avoid. Powell has voiced opposition to expansion.

Consider pensions. For Stitt or Powell, neither has had a state government career. If elected, state law now requires them to be in a defined contribution plan like most taxpayers. By contrast, Edmondson’s 29-year government career allows him to continue to draw his guaranteed annual state pension of $149,934 (he has drawn $1.2 million to date) alongside the governor’s salary of $147,000 (for a total of $296,934), while the current governor’s 24-year career will allow her to draw around $176,000 guaranteed annually.

For both Edmondson and the current governor, a special provision – for politicians only – allowed their annual pension to be higher than their annual salary ever was.

Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

GOP gubernatorial candidates respond to OSC ruling

I reached out to the GOP gubernatorial candidates to get their response to the Oklahoma Supreme Court's tossing out of the HB1010XX veto referendum being circulated by Oklahoma Taxpayers Unite!. Candidates Gary Richardson and Dan Fisher are the only ones at this hour to get responses back to me, posted below in the order that I received them.

Gary Richardson: 
   “The Oklahoma Supreme Court did not contest the merits of the taxation issue addressed in the petition. This ruling was based on the fact that it didn't comply with all of the technicalities that were required. Based on the court's strict compliance rules, when it comes to filing such as this, I can understand the court's ruling.  Again, based on what the court said, it has nothing to do with the merits of the petition.

   But Oklahomans still have a number of avenues to reverse the unjustified tax hikes which passed in the last legislative session. The most expedient avenue is to elect the right Governor, one dedicated to responsible government spending, who can work with lawmakers across the political spectrum to reverse the tax hikes.

   Regardless of this ruling, I don’t see how state leaders can morally justify raising taxes when it is abundantly obvious they are mismanaging the money they already have.

   My first order of business as Governor will be to thoroughly audit state agencies with performance and/or forensic audits so we can flush out the waste, abuse and corruption. All of the data shows, once these audits are completed, the state will save more money than it would have collected through the tax increases.  The tax increases are merely covering up the problem.”

Dan Fisher:
It is my opinion that our State Supreme Court has made it far too difficult for the citizens to express their will in the past.

The Declaration of Independence declares that “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,” and it is the obvious that the understanding and intent of the Founders was that government should function at the “will of the people” - not the other way around.

We have made it so difficult for the people to express their will through initiative petitions that it is practically impossible for them to “jump through all of the legal hoops” to do so.  This is certainly not the “spirit” of the laws governing the petition process.  The very right to petition our government is enshrined in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  How are citizens to do this if the laws and courts make it impossible to do so?

Therefore, I disagree with our State Supreme Court and believe OTU should push forward.  Sadly, the opponents and the courts are "running out the clock” making it practically impossible for the people to succeed in having their voices heard on this important matter.

Lamb, Stitt, Jones, Cornett: no response yet

Oklahoma Taxpayers Unite responds to Supreme Court ruling

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Today’s Supreme Court decision has provided a major setback in the effort to protect Oklahomans' tax dollars. For months, Oklahoma Taxpayers Unite! has struggled with media and unions reporting lies about the petition by falsely stating it was a repeal on teacher pay raises. The effort to REPEAL HB1010XX is to relieve the people from unnecessary and burdensome taxes and had nothing to do with the teacher pay raise. The Supreme Court agreed with that sentiment in their ruling. If the taxes are repealed, the raises remain sacrosanct, as the supremes state on pages 4-5 in their decision.

Because of oversight in communications, scrivener errors and legislative gymnastics, the petition has been ruled invalid in the current form.

Oklahoma Taxpayers Unite! believes in the protection of the taxpayer. At every turn we must ask: who is standing up for us? Our DNA is to fight for injustice perpetrated by all forms of government, after all a government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take away everything you have.

We are, at our core, conservatives; and we want the conservation and protection of our money to be our civic leaders’ highest priority. It clearly is not. Governments and politicians have long ago decided that plunder of the taxpayer is acceptable, so they grow government at a rapid rate. As Jefferson states, "The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground." We must fight against this natural progression.

We want to be remembered as men and women who cared too much rather than cared too little, even if that means our grassroots organization makes mistakes along the journey.

Given today’s decision of the OK Supreme Court, our fight is not over, our battle has just begun.

The people did not support this egregious and unnecessary, burdensome tax hike. The people will have their say.

Our mistakes will be corrected. Our motivation has been renewed. Our taxes are OUR money, they are not the governments’ money, and it’s time for all of us to declare that together from our rooftops.

Thank you to all Oklahomans who supported our initial effort. We appreciate all you've done to stand up for the Oklahoma taxpayer, the Forgotten Man.

Schulz and Hofmeister respond to veto referendum ruling

Senate Pro Tem comments on court's ruling on SQ 799 referendum petition

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz, R-Altus, released the following comment regarding the Oklahoma Supreme Court's ruling on State Question 799 and referendum petition:

“I am pleased the Oklahoma Supreme Court rejected the effort to repeal HB 1010xx. The Legislature took extraordinary steps in passing HB 1010xx and it is absolutely necessary to fully fund the largest teacher pay raise in state history and the significant increase in education funding passed this session. We should all now turn our focus toward working for the resources and reforms necessary to support our teachers and ensure our children get the best education possible.”

Hofmeister hails court decision clearing way for teacher pay raise

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister made the following remarks after today’s decision on State Question 799 by the Oklahoma Supreme Court:

”The bipartisan passage of House Bill 1010xx was a significant step forward for all Oklahomans. I commend the Oklahoma Supreme Court for rejecting a repeal effort of this landmark legislation. At long last, we can reward our dedicated, hardworking public school teachers with the competitive pay they deserve. On the heels of a school year in which 1 in 7 students was taught by an untrained teacher, we can, and we must, now begin stemming the tide of Oklahoma’s crippling teacher shortage. Today’s decision clears the way for funding regionally competitive teacher pay, ushering in a new era of stability that is not only a win for public education, but for our kids and the future of our state.”

OCPA column: Turf over Textbooks?

Turf over textbooks?

By OCPA president Jonathan Small

In 2018, Oklahomans will see the largest teacher pay raise in state history, dramatic tax increases, and record total funding for education. Since March 29, $610 million in new tax increases and annual revenues have become law. Since the 2015 legislative session, more than $1 billion in new tax increases and annual revenues have become law.

Now that we have revenue, let’s not miss the opportunity for transformative reforms.

Clearly, Oklahoma’s teachers needed a substantial raise. The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs offered several proposals to increase teacher pay, including prioritizing existing funds and even offering a revenue plan.

Many Oklahomans were understandably confused as teachers marched to the state Capitol to ask for more government funding, even while in at least two central Oklahoma school districts, construction was surging ahead on lavish new multimillion-dollar football stadiums.

Patrons in Owasso were also baffled when they learned that the ragged textbooks pictured in an infamous photo were not in fact being used in class. That was actually fake news, and it got extensive national media coverage.

Owasso voters, in fact, approved a bond issue to include $2 million for textbooks and materials. Incredibly, though, they also approved bonds to spend more than twice as much ($5.45 million) on artificial turf.

And down in Norman, the teachers got their raise, and every middle and high school student in the district will get a new laptop thanks to $16 million in bond funds.

Oklahoma raised teacher pay and invested in education. Now, it’s time for local leaders and school boards to prioritize spending.

Do we really need 500-plus school districts with well-paid superintendents? Why would taxpayers give nearly $250,000 annually to a superintendent in whose district (Union) the majority of students lack proficiency in every subject?

Is there a better way to manage bond and operational funds to make sure priorities are met? When large school districts, like Tulsa Public Schools, issue more than $12 million for textbooks but then suggest they don’t have enough revenue, it undermines the true and legitimate needs of other schools.

What about staffing levels? As economist Benjamin Scafidi noted, between 1992 and 2015, enrollment in Oklahoma schools rose by 17 percent, teacher staffing went up by 12 percent, and non-teacher staffing ballooned by 36 percent. Can’t we redirect some of that operational diversion to other needs?

Legislators raised taxes by more than half a billion dollars to ensure teachers received the pay raise they needed. Now it’s time to enact reforms that will help modernize our system and empower our teachers.

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

Fallin signs hotel/motel tax repeal, opposes removing capital gains exemption

Governor Mary Fallin Signs Legislation Repealing Hotel/Motel Tax

Measures to make up revenue from proposed tax also signed into law

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today signed House Bill (HB) 1012XX, which repeals a $5 tax on hotel and motel rooms, and two other bills that are estimated to replace the revenue to help fund teacher pay raises and increased education funding.

Fallin signed HB 3375, which allows tribal casinos to use traditional roulette and dice games, which were specifically prohibited since a 2004 vote of the people. Exclusivity fees generated by the change will put substantial additional dollars into education.

The governor also signed HB 1019XX, which will require third-party online retailers to collect and remit sales tax back to state coffers. It will affect purchases made through sites like Amazon, when the seller is someone other than Amazon. It is estimated to bring in about $20.5 million for public schools.

The House of Representatives and Senate voted to repeal the hotel-motel tax, which was included in a larger revenue package, HB 1010XX. That bill raised a variety of revenue to pay for an average $6,100 teacher pay raise – the largest teacher pay increase in state history – and added $50 million in new revenue for textbooks and school supplies.

“The revenue package that funded the teacher pay raises would not have passed the Senate with the required super majority, or three-fourths support, had a bipartisan agreement not been struck to repeal the hotel/motel tax,” Fallin said.

The governor and the Legislature have worked diligently to pass historic funding measures for K-12 public education.

Fallin last month signed HB 1010XX, part of an historic revenue package to fund pay raises for teachers. The package allows for a $6,100, or 16 percent, pay raise on average for Oklahoma teachers. It moves Oklahoma’s teacher pay up from the lowest, in average teacher pay, to second in the seven-state region and up to 29th from 49th nationally. Oklahoma’s teacher-pay ranking improves to 12th in the nation when adjusted for cost of living.

Last week, the governor signed the $2.9 billion appropriation bill for common education for the upcoming 2019 fiscal year. The funding marks the largest amount ever appropriated in Oklahoma for K-12 public education and a 19.7 percent increase over the $2.4 billion appropriation bill for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.

The $2.9 billion education funding contained in HB 3705 includes an additional $353.5 million for teacher pay; $52 million for support personnel pay: $33 million for textbooks: $17 million for the state aid formula; and $24.7 million for flex health care benefits.

“This shows again that education is a priority with legislative leaders and me,” said Fallin. “The single-most important thing we can do to help Oklahomans have fulfilling and productive lives is improving the quality and outcomes of education.”

Fallin said today’s action should complete funding K-12 public schools for the 2019 fiscal year. She encouraged legislators to turn attention now on other issues, such as criminal justice, and address the financial needs of other core services, such as public safety and health and human services, in finishing work on the 2019 fiscal year budget.

The governor made it clear she supports the voters’ decision in a 2004 statewide election of encouraging investment in Oklahoma through the capital gains tax deduction.

The capital gains tax deduction, which was a tax reform measure approved in a statewide vote in 2004, is an exemption from capital gains taxes for property and business located in the state of Oklahoma. The idea was to increase the incentive for people to invest in Oklahoma, and to put Oklahoma properties and businesses on an equal footing with other states.

Fallin signs teacher pay raise, tax hike package

Governor Mary Fallin Signs Revenue Package to Fund Largest Teacher Pay Raise in State History

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin, flanked by bipartisan legislators and joined by public school teachers, today signed three bills that are part of an historic revenue package to fund pay raises for teachers.

The package allows for a $6,100, or 16 percent, pay raise on average for Oklahoma teachers.

 “This is a very historic day in Oklahoma,” said Fallin. “By signing these measures, Oklahoma will move to second-highest in the region, up from the lowest, in average teacher pay. It is the largest teacher pay raise in the history of the state.

“I want to thank our legislative leaders from both parties for their tremendously hard work on these measures,” Fallin said.”I appreciate their long hours, and I commend the brave men and women in the House and Senate for their courageous action in voting for these bills. The legislation will fund teacher pay raises as well as provide additional money for the classroom, and set our state on a path of long-term budget stability by making more recurring revenue available and help stop the practice of balancing our budget with one-time funds. Teachers can expect to see a significant raise in their paychecks this fall.”

The governor signed:

• House Bill (HB) 1011XX, which puts a $17,000 cap on deductions on adjusted gross income. Charitable contributions and medical expenses are not capped.
• HB 1023XX, which establishes a new teacher salary schedule, the largest teacher pay increase in state history. Teachers will receive a $6,100 pay raise on average in the upcoming school year.
• HB 1010XX, which provides the revenue to fund the teacher pay raise. This is accomplished by an increase of $1 per pack of cigarettes; taxing little cigars at the same rate as cigarettes; raising the fuel tax by 3 cents a gallon on gasoline and 6 cents a gallon on diesel; and raising the gross production tax from 2 percent to 5 percent on all wells.

Oklahoma Taxpayers Unite: "Game on!"

TAXPAYERS RESPOND: GAME ON!

Oklahoma Taxpayers Unite! is dismayed, but not surprised by yesterday’s State Senate vote to pass HB1010XX. We will respond!

In an era of big spending, big government, big egos and big lies, the passage of HB1010XX is a shameful slap in the face of Taxpayers and for many, a betrayal of their word of honor when they signed pledges NOT to raise taxes. Untrustworthy oath-breakers lead our state.

For eight years, Governor Fallin and the GOP have had super majorities in the both the state Senate and House. They’ve squandered their opportunity to make structural reforms and institute real fiscal responsibility in state government. Now we’ve been subjected to the obscene applause and joy as they celebrated their abject failure of leadership while violating the very principles of their own Oklahoma GOP Platform.

Governor Fallin and the legislative leaders who pushed this are an embarrassment to their party, bring national shame to our state, and have betrayed Taxpayers who elected them. State Question 640 specifically mandates that ALL new tax increases be sent to the Taxpayers for a vote. The 75% supermajority vote of both Houses was meant to be used only for a real emergency, which this is not. Numerous proposals have shown how the teachers can get a pay raise without raising taxes.

Wasting no time, Governor Fallin says she will sign the bill today by hosting a "signing party." She has pushed tax increase on the citizens of Oklahoma for years, while promoting and maneuvering agency bureaucrats who have overseen “accounting tricks” that hid millions of dollars and covered up corruption and mismanagement. Taxpayers across the state believe that’s the real reason she wants tax increases. More fraud exists, as evidenced by today’s local paper.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Oklahoma Taxpayers Unite! supports the courageous legislators who have been fighting against tax increases and calling for enacting fiscal reforms and oversight rather than raise taxes. Our coalition is here to support them and recruit candidates to run against all the tax hogs at the legislature. We will also soon start a petition drive for a VETO REFERENDUM to overturn HB1010XX, as well as any other measures to levy more burden on beleaguered Oklahoma Taxpayers.

We remind the marble oligarch crowd that WE THE PEOPLE are their employers, not the Political Class. Taxpayers will not take this abuse lying down. Fish rot from the head. Governor Fallin is an oath-breaker who violated her own taxpayer protection pledge, which she signed May 2010.

The 2018 Oklahoma TAXPAYER PROTECTION PLEDGE BREAKERS are as follows: Governor Mary Fallin, Representatives Josh Cockroft, Randy McDaniel, Charles Ortega, Leslie Osborn, Dustin Roberts, Mike Sanders, Earl Sears, Chris Kannady, Michael Rogers, Scooter Park, Dennis Casey, Senators Kim David, OKC Mayor-Elect David Holt, and AJ Griffin. But almost all state legislators campaign on a low-tax platform.

Taxpayers were insulted and horrified to watch both chambers pass the largest tax hike in history and immediately congratulate each other with hugs and high fives. This is not a time to celebrate, friends. The taxpayers of Oklahoma are prepared to crash your party.

The VETO REFERENDUM is the state constitution’s solution for runaway government. The people will have their voice. Taxpayers demand that we use State Question 640 as it was intended. Let the people decide.

Learn more about Oklahoma Taxpayers Unite! by visiting their website at OklahomaTaxpayersUnite.com. Follow the movement on Facebook and Twitter.

Senate passes $530M tax hike to fund teacher pay raises

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz was joined by Gov. Mary Fallin, Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Sen. Kim David, Senate Majority Floor Leader Greg Treat and Senate Appropriations Vice Chair Eddie Fields Wednesday evening following the Senate's approval of a teacher pay raise package.

Senate passes revenue package to fund teacher pay raises

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday passed a historic revenue package to fund a $6,100, or 16 percent, pay raise on average for Oklahoma teachers. That increase moves Oklahoma from seventh to second highest in the region in average teacher pay and is the largest teacher pay raise in the history of the state.

“The Oklahoma Senate took a historic step that will have positive and long-lasting impacts on the success of our state. One of the most important factors in the success of our students is a quality, professional teacher in the classroom. Passing the largest teacher pay raise in state history moves us to No. 2 in the region in average teacher pay and will help Oklahoma retain quality teachers. It’s a significant investment in economic development because an educated workforce is essential to growing and expanding our economy. For more than 15 months, the Senate has worked tirelessly to fund a significant teacher pay raise. This is a responsible plan that answers Oklahomans’ call for the Legislature to find a solution to teacher pay. I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate for their dedication to finding a solution and seeing a teacher pay raise come to fruition,” said Senate Pro Tem Mike Schulz, R-Altus.

HB 1010xx provides $447 million in revenue by increasing the gross production to 5 percent on all wells, increasing the cigarette tax $1 per pack, and increasing the gas tax 3 cents and the diesel tax 6 cents. 

The Senate also advanced HB 1011xx, which provides an additional $84.3 million for teacher pay by making changes to the state income tax code.

Coburn launching taxpayer revolt at 1pm today

With the passage of a $530+ million tax hike, taxpayers are outraged at the lack of transparency and openness in the Oklahoma Legislature, and their refusal to consider other methods besides raising taxes.

At 1pm today, former Sen. Tom Coburn will be announcing the formation of a new taxpayer advocacy group, Oklahoma Taxpayers Unite!, which will aim to transform how Oklahoma government operates.

From around the blogosphere...

Steve Fair has a great post titled HERE ON HTRAE. Here's a snippet:

The disappointing thing is once again the education lobby won because self-described fiscal conservatives in control of the legislature caved. Education didn’t have to agree to consolidate administrative services, school districts, or submit to comprehensive audits of school districts. They just threatened to walk-out and lawmakers caved. No Oklahoman disputes teachers in Oklahoma deserve a raise, but so do the butchers, bakers and candlestick makers. Unfortunately, those people can’t afford to stage a walk-out because they can’t afford to take the day off. They have to work to pay their taxes.

Republicans traditionally have been known for smaller government and fought for citizens to keep more of their hard earned money, but here on planet Htrae, Republicans perform exactly the opposite of what you expect. On this cube-shaped planet we now live on, you can expect elected officials to contradict logic and adhere to the Bizarro Code. Voting doesn’t match their campaigning. Press releases and public speeches contradict their actions. It is no wonder the average citizen thinks politics and politicians are crooked, dirty and unethical- after all, we’re on Htrae.

Michael Bates discusses the passage of tax-increase bill HB1010XX here, which includes a tax on church camps like Falls Creek -- widely known for hosting the world’s largest youth encampment of its kind each summer.

Coburn headlining 'Oklahoma Taxpayers Unite!' presser tomorrow

Senator Tom Coburn to headline announcement 
of OKLAHOMA TAXPAYERS UNITE!

Where: STATE CAPITOL BUILDING PRESS ROOM
What: PRESS CONFERENCE
When: 1 pm, Wednesday March 28, 2018

Fiscal hawk and Taxpayers’ friend, Senator Tom Coburn, will announce the formation of a new Taxpayers’ coalition to take the fight to the legislative tax hogs, oath breakers and Political Class.

Oklahoma Taxpayers are fed up with legislative leadership that seeks first to raise taxes and refuses to make the structural, transformational reforms that fiscal responsibility requires. With HB1010XX, passed under duress and rules suspension March 26, the majority of the House of Representatives has chosen the path of more taxation instead of reform.

Oklahoma Taxpayers Unite! is a coalition of Oklahoma Taxpayers -- civic leaders, concerned citizens, grassroots activists, and party leaders, working together, demanding constitutional, ethical, transparent, and fiscally responsible governance for the Oklahoma Taxpayers. Reminiscent of the group known as “Stop New Taxes” which almost repealed HB 1017 28 years ago with a referendum petition, and then Oklahoma Taxpayers’ Union, which successfully passed SQ 640, the new coalition reflects the disgust and anger with a Governor and legislature that has refused to lead, opting for new taxes instead.

Of the 79 House members who voted for new taxes, 11 of them previously signed a pledge for their entire term of office with Americans for Tax Reform, “to oppose [and vote against] any efforts to increase taxes.” Apparently, their word means nothing. Two of the oath-breakers are running for higher office in 2018. Seven members of the Senate signed the same pledge.

Oklahoma Taxpayers Unite! will offer its 7-point Taxpayers Platform for all incumbents and candidates to pledge to on their Word of Honor.

For further information, please contact Brooke McGowan at 704-526-9494 or Porter Davis at 405-343-0239.

House passes $530M tax hike under cover of darkness

Under a cloak of secrecy and the cover of darkness, last night the Republican-led Oklahoma House of Representatives passed the largest tax increase since at least 1990 by a vote of 79 to 19.

Below is the roll call vote for HB1010XX. 51 Republicans and all 28 Democrats voted in favor, while 19 Republicans voted against.

HB1010XX raises the following taxes by these amounts:

• Gross Production Tax from 2% to 5%:  $204,582,000
• Cigarette Tax increase of $1: $152,074,000
• Tax Little Cigars as cigarettes: $954,000
• 10% tax on chewing tobacco: $11,200,000
• 3¢ increase of gasoline fuel tax: $56,704,500
• 6¢ increase of diesel fuel tax: $57,822,000
• Lodging tax of $5 per day: $50,400,000

Grand total of tax increases is $533,736,500.00.

The measure was brought up without time for legislators or the public to view the language of the bill. State Rep. Jason Murphey (R-Guthrie) posted HB1010XX and several other bills that were voted on last night on Twitter so that reporters and the public could view them before the House began voting. The small-but-dedicated Capitol reporting corps had been lamenting the fact that the measures were not posted on the Legislative website, so Murphey brought some much-needed transparency to the situation.

The Oklahoma Legislature thrives on secrecy and keeping the public unaware of major legislation like this before they vote. It seems that every major tax vote that has been taken in the last two years has been late at night, often with the measures unavailable for reading online, and voted on before the ink can dry or the bill even finish printing, much less in time for legislators to skim through the bill and read the language (never mind their constituents).

This heavy-handed and secretive method of running government must end.

Platform Index: State House rated for Special Session votes

This morning, SoonerPolitics.org posted a 'Platform Index' voting record chart for the two special sessions the legislature has been in since September. Similar to the Oklahoma Constitution's Conservative Index, as well as other rating systems, the Platform Index tracked conservative and liberal votes during special session. Due to most of the recorded votes taking place in the House and not receiving a vote in the Senate, the Senate was not scored in this Index.

20 Republicans and 6 Democrats scored a 60 or better. 12 Republicans scored a perfect 100, while 4 Republicans and 2 Democrats got an 80.

On the other end, 4 Republicans (including Labor Commissioner candidate Leslie Osborn) scored zero conservative votes, earning a 0. 32 Republicans and 5 Democrats got a 20 on the Index.

Ironically, the average score for Republicans and Democrats are nearly identical: the Republican average is 42.12, while the Democrat average is 42.11.

Scores for the Muskogee-area representatives; only Rep. George Faught (R-Muskogee) got a passing grade:

• George Faught (R-HD14): 80
• Scott Fetgatter (R-HD16): 40
• Matt Meredith (D-HD4): 40
• Kevin McDugle (R-HD12): 25
• Avery Frix (R-HD13): 20
• Ed Cannaday (D-HD15): 20

Here are the full results: