Gubernatorial hopefuls differ on teacher raise tax package
OKLAHOMA CITY Gubernatorial hopefuls are deeply divided over the states first tax hike in nearly three decades that is supposed to pay for a long-promised teacher raise.
In an effort to ward off a threatened teacher walkout, the cash-strapped Republican controlled Legislature passed House Bill 1010XX, which generates nearly $500 million in revenue by increasing taxes on oil and gas drillers, cigarettes and motor fuel. The initial package also contained a new occupancy tax on hotel and motels, but lawmakers later repealed that.
This was Exhibit A in state-level incompetency, said Republican candidate Eric Foutch. This was a total knee-jerk reaction on the Legislatures and the governors part. Just the fact that the hotel/motel tax was repealed a week later proves the point.
The measure is designed to help fund permanent, average $6,100 teacher salary increases the first in nearly a decade. Proponents contend it will give districts a competitive edge in recruiting and retaining teachers.
Read more: http://www.enidnews.com/news/state/gubernatorial-hopefuls-differ-on-teacher-raise-tax-package/article_a1a1f1fa-36c5-582f-9960-9cc4239dd6a7.html
The views of the Democratic candidates are included in the article.