Taxpayer Advocates Urge Pledge Signing
State and national taxpayer advocates today urged Governor Henry and legislative leaders to sign "The Taxpayer Protection Pledge" and promise not to raise taxes to balance the state budget.
With Oklahoma’s governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate president pro tempore all agreeing that tax increases are not an option for fixing Oklahoma ’s budget problems, the advocates urged state legislators to put some teeth into that promise by signing the pledge, sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform. The Taxpayer Protection Pledge is a commitment to the people of one’s district and the state of Oklahoma to, “oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.”
“By signing the Pledge, legislators make clear that they will stand up for tax payers, not tax users,” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. “Especially in a recession, higher taxes should be a non-starter for all Oklahoma legislators. I strongly encourage, and challenge, each of them to sign the Pledge before the legislature opens in February.”
“Taxpayers hear empty promises every day from elected officials in Washington about spending and taxes, only to end up disappointed because government decides it wants more and more,” said Brian Downs, executive director of Oklahomans for Responsible Government. “Signing this pledge to keep all tax increases off the table while fixing Oklahoma ’s budget gap will give taxpayers some peace of mind that their government leaders here in Oklahoma are listening to them.”
“The budget situation could very well get worse in the next several months, and then could get downright ugly if things like SQ 744 and Obama’s Medicaid expansion come to pass,” added Brandon Dutcher , vice president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs and chairman of the Oklahoma center-right coalition meeting. “Oklahomans already spend more time working to pay taxes than to pay for food, clothing, and shelter combined. They need assurances from their state legislators that enough is enough.”
To date, seven governors and more than 1,100 state legislators have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Additionally, 34 U.S. Senators and 172 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Oklahoma Senator Todd Lamb, Senate Majority Leader, said, "The best way to protect Oklahoma families in these difficult economic times is to avoid additional tax increases that would jeopardize the economy. Having previously signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, I am proud to reaffirm my support today for it and I urge my fellow legislators to follow suit."
Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) is a non-partisan coalition of taxpayers and taxpayer groups who oppose all tax increases.
With Oklahoma’s governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate president pro tempore all agreeing that tax increases are not an option for fixing Oklahoma ’s budget problems, the advocates urged state legislators to put some teeth into that promise by signing the pledge, sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform. The Taxpayer Protection Pledge is a commitment to the people of one’s district and the state of Oklahoma to, “oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.”
“By signing the Pledge, legislators make clear that they will stand up for tax payers, not tax users,” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. “Especially in a recession, higher taxes should be a non-starter for all Oklahoma legislators. I strongly encourage, and challenge, each of them to sign the Pledge before the legislature opens in February.”
“Taxpayers hear empty promises every day from elected officials in Washington about spending and taxes, only to end up disappointed because government decides it wants more and more,” said Brian Downs, executive director of Oklahomans for Responsible Government. “Signing this pledge to keep all tax increases off the table while fixing Oklahoma ’s budget gap will give taxpayers some peace of mind that their government leaders here in Oklahoma are listening to them.”
“The budget situation could very well get worse in the next several months, and then could get downright ugly if things like SQ 744 and Obama’s Medicaid expansion come to pass,” added Brandon Dutcher , vice president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs and chairman of the Oklahoma center-right coalition meeting. “Oklahomans already spend more time working to pay taxes than to pay for food, clothing, and shelter combined. They need assurances from their state legislators that enough is enough.”
To date, seven governors and more than 1,100 state legislators have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Additionally, 34 U.S. Senators and 172 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Oklahoma Senator Todd Lamb, Senate Majority Leader, said, "The best way to protect Oklahoma families in these difficult economic times is to avoid additional tax increases that would jeopardize the economy. Having previously signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, I am proud to reaffirm my support today for it and I urge my fellow legislators to follow suit."
Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) is a non-partisan coalition of taxpayers and taxpayer groups who oppose all tax increases.
posted by Mike McCarville @ 11:57 AM
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