Dear Legislator,

Despite clear benefits of repeal, it appears that many of you are being encouraged to kick the can further down the road and leave Oklahomans subject to an income tax while others in the region eliminate theirs. Last night’s compromise, seemingly a step in the right direction, did not provide a path for complete elimination of the income tax. However, there is hope that this legislature will be bold and consider gradually reducing the state income tax through the establishment of a tax trigger mechanism if necessary. That is, if you ignore special interests groups clamoring for a high income tax against the interest of Oklahoma’s families (reference “Open Letter to State Legislature concerning Income Tax Triggers” dated May 8th, 2012).

The Senate General Conference Committee on Appropriations has given approval to Senate Bill 1230, a measure Senate author Mike Mazzei said would result in meaningful income tax reductions that would stimulate the economy while truly protecting core services such as education, public safety, health care and transportation. The plan would reduce the top income tax rate to 5 percent in 2013 and 4.75 percent in 2014. Click here to see the Senate tax reform summary for SB 1230.

Illinois politicians raised taxes last year by 67%, yet we still have the worst-funded pension system in the nation, with over $85 billion in unfunded liabilities.