Published: October 02, 2008 10:40 pm      

Oklahomans want limited government, lower taxes

Political scientists will tell you that Oklahoma’s political culture is one of the most conservative in the nation. So it’s always encouraging, though not surprising, for me to see survey results like these obtained in August by the nationally recognized polling firm Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates.

The firm conducted telephone interviews of 500 registered voters in Oklahoma and the survey’s margin of error is +/- 4.3 percent. Take a look for yourself at the questions and the responses.

In the latest year for which data are available, the average Oklahoman spent nearly three hours of a typical eight-hour workday in order to earn enough money to pay their federal, state and local taxes. Do you think that tax burden is too high, too low, or just about right?

• Too high — 59 percent

• Too low — 2 percent

• Just about right — 34 percent

• Undecided — 5 percent

If Oklahoma state government is again faced with a budget shortfall, do you think the state should:

• Cut spending — 80 percent

• Raise taxes — 11 percent

• Undecided — 9 percent

Which would you rather see in Oklahoma?

• A smaller government with fewer services — 60 percent

• A larger government with many services — 23 percent

• Undecided — 17 percent

Out of every dollar the Oklahoma state government collects in taxes, how many cents (if any) do you think are wasted?

• 0 to 19 — 17 percent

• 20 to 59 — 51 percent

• More than 60 — 12 percent

• Undecided — 19 percent

BRANDON DUTCHER, of Edmond, is vice president for policy at the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. OCPA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that formulates public policy research and analysis consistent with the principles of free enterprise and limited government.