Oklahoma
Related: About this forumAfter slashing taxes, Okla. struggles to fund schools, other services
By Sean Murphy
OKLAHOMA CITY Four years ago, Oklahomas oil patch was booming, unemployment was falling, and lawmakers were debating what to do with a $200 million surplus.
Republicans who control state government successfully pushed to reduce the top income tax rate, slash the oil and gas production tax rate from 7 percent to 2 percent, and give more tax incentives to industry.
But the boom ended, and the money dried up.
Now, the once-unwavering confidence in the wisdom of lower taxes has given way to a growing panic over how to pay for basic services, including schools, health care, and public safety. Revenue has fallen about 20 percent short of budgeted needs for the third year in a row.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2017/04/27/after-slashing-taxes-oklahoma-struggles-fund-schools-other-basic-services/d3Z4z26eF7cXbN2Wgs5LzI/story.html
Same shit, different state.
Beartracks
(13,565 posts)There's a track record of these policies being enacted at state and Federal levels over the years and the result is always bad for constituents/voters and the economy.
Why do Republicans keep believing this failed approach will work?
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Cartoonist
(7,531 posts)The rich get richer
Beartracks
(13,565 posts)But when will Republican voters wise up?
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hatrack
(60,934 posts)Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)center of Climate Denial is now begging the rest of us to help them recover from guess what,a climate event called flooding which is most likely related to mankind.
Forgot,this is Trump Country,blame it on Obama.
Beartracks
(13,565 posts)Not saving/investing the surplus for the lean times is fiscal irresponsibility.
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Mickju
(1,812 posts)It could never be because of the tax cuts. Stupid Republicans
benld74
(9,996 posts)WinstonSmith00
(228 posts)That is the repugnant motto.
Exploit the poor and rake in the dough.
Republicans have been a complete failure for this state. Time to wake the people of Oklahoma up. One hundred years ago we were one of the most progressive States. We have greatly lost our way.