Oklahoma Democrats eyeing statewide vote to raise oil, gas tax rate

After repeated calls to raise the tax rate on oil and gas production to 7 percent, Democrats in the Oklahoma House said they might next push for a statewide vote.

Raising the tax rate is part of House Democrats' own budget plan, but despite pressure from both inside and outside the Capitol, Republican leadership has rejected those ideas.

House Democratic leader Scott Inman said Wednesday his members will file bills that would give both lawmakers and the people a choice on the issue. The proposal mirrors a challenge issued by Speaker Charles McCall, who said if there aren't enough votes to pass a cigarette tax, he would call for a legislative ballot initiative.

"We think that may certainly be a justifiable position for him," Inman said. "If he's willing to let the voters decide on an increase in the cigarette tax, then we think he ought to let voters decide on an increase in the gross production tax, as well."

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