Governor proposes state tax on doctor visits, funerals, other services

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin's proposal to add the state's 4.5 percent sales tax to various services currently excluded from the tax would generate an additional $769 million for cities and counties and about $934 million for the state, according to documents.

The list of items that would be added to the tax rolls include doctor visits, legal fees, funeral services, insurance purchases, cable television, utility bills, child care, nursing home services and homebuilding services.

"Funeral directors from across the state have already contacted us and said we're against this," said Brian Douglas, an Ardmore funeral home operator and president of the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association.

"The state funeral directors will fight it all the way through."

Fallin's proposal would also expand the state sales tax to a number of building trades that are now exempt, including electricians, plumbers and roofers.

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