One has to ask what kind of BS is this...

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Rep. Steve Martin, R-Bartlesville, outlined a plan to take away from several cities -- including Tulsa and suburban communities -- 1 percent of their sales-tax revenue and give it to smaller towns.
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As much as it pain me to say, Mayor McCheese is right on this one...

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Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett characterized the idea as the "socialization of sales tax".
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http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=071024_1_A5_spanc00200

City official cool to idea of sharing sales taxes

By MICK HINTON World Capitol Bureau
10/24/2007


OKLAHOMA CITY -- A representative of Mayor Kathy Taylor's scoffed at the idea of taking sales taxes collected by Tulsa and giving them to outlying towns whose residents shop in the metro area.

Speaking Tuesday before the House Revenue and Tax Subcommittee, city Budget Director Pat Connelly said it would be devastating to city services, particularly the Police and Fire Departments.

Rep. Sreve Martin, R-Bartlesville, outlined a plan to take away from several cities -- including Tulsa and suburban communities -- 1 percent of their sales-tax revenue and give it to smaller towns.

He said rural residents shop in the larger towns but need the money to continue their local services.

Connelly said a better source of revenue would be a municipal property tax.

"That's the solution," he said, noting that municipalities in other states are collecting such taxes.

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett characterized the idea as the "socialization of sales tax."

Revamping sales-tax distribution was one suggestion brought up at the meeting, which was called to examine the state tax code.

Committee Chairman Randy Terrill, R-Moore, asked officials for their views on eliminating grocery sales taxes.

Nowata City Manager Nancy Shipley said, "If they take the grocery and sales tax, they'll take our fire and police away, too."

Connelly said the proposal to take sales taxes from cities would cost Tulsa about $16 million.

For starters, he said, that could mean laying off 250 police officers.

Mick Hinton (405) 528-2465
mick.hinton@tulsaworld.com