EDMOND —
There is not a plan to replace lost tax revenue if lawmakers continue efforts to eliminate the state income tax, said Ken Miller, state treasurer. Miller spoke Tuesday at the Edmond Chamber Luncheon at Rose Creek Golf Club.
Most people in favor of getting rid of the state income tax say that economic growth will replace lost revenue, said Miller, R-Edmond.
“Boy that’s some really healthy economic growth if you’re going to make up 40 percent of your lost revenues,” Miller said. “I think we can look at what just happened in Kansas.”
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican, signed a tax cut that he described as too short of the tax cut he had requested, Miller said.
“He signed it and they just cut their education budget by 10 percent because the growth revenues they were projecting didn’t happen,” Miller said. “So they’re going through a pretty tough adjustment to the budget now.”
Oklahoma’s tax code is not favorable, Miller said, calling it a hodge-podge created over a 100 years of figuring ways to pay for services.
“I think we can look at lowering our income tax, lowering our sales tax but broadening the base,” Miller said. “But I don’t think we can get through a situation that is not revenue neutral.”
Miller encourages the Legislature to cut taxes by $1 for every $1 cut in spending. However, Miller said most legislators support reducing government spending as long as it is not a specific category they favor and their constituents support.
“Things could be better here, but still we’re pretty responsible when it comes to fiscal policy in Oklahoma,” Miller said.
Former City Councilman Gary Moore asked if the state is making any progress in taxing out-of-state Internet sales. Miller said he took part in a panel two weeks ago with former Gov. Brad Henry and former Treasurer Scott Meacham as part of a bipartisan think tank of former governors. The panel is studying the more than $22 billion of lost states’ revenue each year to Internet sales.
In Oklahoma the taxation of Internet sales already exists but is not collected, Miller said. Henry was the only panel member who said he reported Internet tax when asked by Miller.
“Most of us don’t know we’re supposed to estimate that tax and send it in,” Miller said.
Taxation of the Internet is a federal issue for Congress to devise a policy for all 50 states, Miller said. Such legislation is being proposed by Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.
jcoburn@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 114
Local News
Treasurer: Tax reform should be revenue-neutral
- Local News
-
-
City Council approves church remodel
A request by Redeemed Christian Church of God Kingdom Chapel to remodel a facility at 307 E. Danforth for a church was approved recently by the City Council.
“The church wants to rent a 2,302-square-foot space in the office building on the north side of Danforth, east of the convenience store, south of the Timber Ridge Addition,” said Bob Schiermeyer, city planner. “There will be no new construction other than interior remodeling to accommodate the church.
The church does not request changes to the one driveway or sidewalk of the property, Schiermeyer said. No changes will be made to the outside of the two-story brick veneer building. A sprinkler system will not be required. -
Arcadia Lake nears reopening for summer season
Work on reclaiming Arcadia Lake has been ongoing since high water forced its closure earlier this month.
-
Professor: Constitutional heritage can bring sense of belonging to U.S. citizens
Education is fundamental in preparing a citizenry to live under a free constitutional republic, said Kyle Harper, founding director of the Institute for the American Constitutional Heritage at the University of Oklahoma. Harper is also the senior vice provost at OU as well as an associate professor of Classics and Letters.
A sense of identity by belonging to a tradition is an ingredient in being part of a free republic, he said while speaking to the Edmond Republican Women’s Club on Monday. An educated citizen must be aware, alert and intelligent to care about public affairs, he said. -
Red Cross seeks volunteers to aid in Moore storm recovery
Before arriving in Oklahoma last year, Edmond resident Sofia Griffith already had a growing Red Cross volunteer résumé.
-
DA files formal charge in Craigslist sex case
Prosecutors have filed a formal felony charge against an Edmond man arrested on a complaint related to the alleged solicitation of a minor via Craigslist, according to court records.
Friday afternoon, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Jessica Brown said a member of the OSBI Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested the man that morning after a two-month-long investigation into solicitation for sex with minors via Craigslist. -
Oreo stacking contest slated for Crest Foods in Edmond
Crest Foods is calling all stackers, ages 6-11, to visit the Edmond store from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday to try their hand at an Oreo stacking event. The store, 2200 W. 15th St., is one of several Crest sites where youth can attempt to stack Oreos. The team that builds the highest stack in 30 seconds qualifies for the finals round the following weekend, said Donna Kamas, public relations manager.
-
State photo-ID databases become troves for police
The faces of more than 120 million people are in searchable photo databases that state officials assembled to prevent driver's-license fraud but that increasingly are used by police to identify suspects, accomplices and even innocent bystanders in a wide range of criminal investigations.
-
Lucas: Farm Bill approval vital for state farmers
The U.S. House will approve a farm bill this year, Rep. Frank Lucas said Saturday.
The bill will be debated on the House floor Wednesday and Thursday and will pass after 30 to 60 amendments are considered. -
Suspect says victim wanted to die
A Logan County man who claims he killed a woman out of compassion had taken a $300,000 life insurance policy out on the victim, according to court records.
In a previous report, OSBI spokeswoman Jessica Brown said the Logan County Sheriff’s Office requested OSBI assistance with an alleged home invasion robbery and homicide that occurred in Crescent Wednesday afternoon.
A 911 call was made from 560 Ruth Lane in Crescent at 6:15 p.m., Brown said.
When deputies arrived at the home, they found Monica Schemm, 49, dead inside her bedroom, Brown said. Her hands were bound with zip ties and a plastic bag was secured around her head with tape, Brown said. -
Edmond man faces Craigslist solicitation complaint
An Edmond man has been arrested on a complaint related to alleged solicitation of a minor via Craigslist, police said.
- More Local News Headlines
-
City Council approves church remodel
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag
Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit
Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard
See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab
Sofia Vergara Posts Perky Backside Pic in Thong
Gaga Ditches Her Crazy Couture
Caught on Tape: Teacher Accused of Beating Autistic Child
"Stay Classy" Campaign Aims to Curb Binge Drinking
Sesame Street Tackling Tough Topic Parents in Jail
Miss Utah Fumbles Interview Question
Deranged man claims Newark-bound flight was poisoned
Cameron Diaz and Kate Upton Show Off Their Amazing Bikini Bodies
NBA FINALS: Spurs Win Game 5, Lead Series
Exclusive Clip: Jodi Arias: 'Dirty Little Secret'
Amphibious bus filled with tourists sinks
