Tax Relief Vrs. Pork

Last week I was surprised when the leadership of
one of the groups which has traditionally supported
smaller government came out in opposition to
reducing taxes. The comments were made by leaders
of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce
and the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce at a
recent hearing of the House of Representative's
Economic Development and Financial Services
Committee.

I have always articulated the common sense
belief that the best way to reduce the size of
government is through reducing the level of
taxation. With less money, the government
will naturally tend to prioritize the limited
number of functions it should be involved in
and leave the rest to the free market. I have
also observed that groups who oppose tax
relief are probably afraid of having a pet
program of their own de-funded by this
prioritization process.

It has become clear that the leadership of
the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of
Commerce understands this viewpoint all
too well. And, shockingly, they appear to fear
that if state government continues to cut taxes,
one of their pet programs may not be funded to
their level of satisfaction.

The pet program is known as the Oklahoma
Opportunity Fund. It is funded with $45 million
of our taxpayer dollars. Most of that money has
already been spent. Because the manner in which
the fund was created has been ruled unconstitutional,
the sole discretion for how the money is spent appears
to have been left to Governor Brad Henry. Henry
recently approved spending $10 million out of the
fund on improvements benefiting a privately owned
airline.

In opposing the continuation of tax relief for
Oklahomans, the economic development director
of the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce said, "I
would take the Opportunity Fund over future tax
cuts in a heartbeat."

I do not believe it is right for the government to
take money away from taxpayers and give it to
targeted businesses. I certainly do not think it is
right that politicians are given the power to play
God when it comes to deciding who the winners
are in the business world. The process of
government subsidizing business operations is
completely contrary to the important free market
principles that empower consumers to decide who
will be successful, based on which business is
providing the best product at the best price.

I do not believe it is appropriate for chambers of
commerce to advocate for a fund that benefits
such a small number of business. This is at the
expense of all the hard working business owners
across Oklahoma who are forced to pay high taxes
which inhibit their abilityto grow their own businesses.

And, I do not think it is right or fair for Opportunity
Fund money to be used to entice new businesses to
move to Oklahoma when they will be competing with
businesses that are already in Oklahoma. Taxing one
business and then giving money to a competitor is not
right.

This latest position reflects one more step in what
is becoming a disturbing trend. Big business is
partnering with and being empowered by big
government. I believe it is important for the small
business members of the Chambers of Commerce
across Oklahoma to reassert themselves and reclaim
control of the organization that is supposed to
represent all Oklahoma businessmen, not a select
few.



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State Representative Jason W. Murphey
Vice-Chairman Homeland Security Committee
State Capitol Building Room #400B
2300 North Lincoln Blvd
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
1(405) 557-7350 (Phone)
1(800) 522-8502 X 350
1(405) 962-7660 (Fax)
www.HouseDistrict31.com
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