Shannon Continues Tax Cut Push
Despite revenue dip, Okla. speaker pushes tax cuts
by SEAN MURPHY
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Despite a projected $170 million decline in revenue available for the Legislature to spend on schools, child welfare and other state programs, House Speaker T.W. Shannon wants an income tax cut and a permanent and generous oil and gas drilling tax incentive that is costing the state hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
The 2014 legislative session is still several weeks away, but the Republican speaker, preparing for his second session leading the increasingly conservative House, already has staked out firm positions despite his own caucus seeking increased spending for education and public safety.
Shannon also has said the House will not support a bond issue to pay for any capital improvements, including repairs to the crumbling state Capitol building, saying instead he supports a “pay-as-you-go” approach.
“We don’t need more government. We just don’t. We can live within our means,” Shannon said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “Any areas of (spending) growth, we should offset in some other area. It’s all about priorities.”