Published: April 10, 2008 11:58 am            

Quality Jobs Act plan stinks

EDMOND — The recent proposal to expand the state’s Quality Jobs program to help lure the NBA’s SuperSonics to Oklahoma City from Seattle smacks of corporate welfare at its worst.

We all know that large corporations are looking for the most benefits when deciding where to expand or relocate their company. Who can blame them? In return, they promise to create well-paying jobs that increase the local, state and sometimes regional economy. It should be a win-win for everyone, right?

The hitch with this plan, though, is the local owners of the SuperSonics already have stated they plan to come to Oklahoma. They want to be here. They will meet with NBA owners about the relocation request next week.

And, Oklahoma City residents already have ponied up by agreeing to tax themselves to pay for renovations to the Ford Center. This renovation creates a home base and venue for the NBA team. Voters said yes to extending a penny sales tax for an additional 15 months. They’ve been paying this penny tax since 1993.

The Quality Jobs Act expansion before the Legislature proposes to include sports teams. Participating companies receive quarterly rebates of up to 6 percent of taxable payroll. In return, those companies are required to create higher-wage jobs that provide basic health-care coverage.

If the Senate bill passes, the state could return an estimated $4 million a year for 15 years in rebates to the SuperSonics’ owners.

Oklahoma would be better off if it could devise a way to lower the tax rate for everyone, which would entice even more people and businesses to come here. This legislation really only benefits a handful of people. Instead, our legislators should be more broadly concerned with the welfare of all of Oklahoma’s citizens.

        

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