Weston, OKGOP Support Leadership’s Tax Cut Plans
Announcement Shows State of Oklahoma In Great Hands
Landmark Reforms to Offer Key Growth for the State
For Immediate Release: Apr. 25, 2013
Contact: Dave Weston, Chairman OKGOP
405-528-3501
(OKLAHOMA CITY) – Yesterday, in front of a packed Blue Room, Gov. Mary Fallin, House Speaker T.W. Shannon and Senate Pro Tem Brian Bingman announced jointly major agreements on workers’ comp reform and lower taxes, which are set to be completed by the end of the legislative session this May. Newly-elected OK Republican Party chairman David Weston sees the news as yet another sign that Oklahoma is moving in the right direction.
“Tuesday’s press conference announcing these deals are very positive for the state of Oklahoma,” said Weston. “This critical agreement proves what can happen when Republicans control both chambers in the legislature and the Governor’s office. All three of these bills are hallmarks of conservative government.”
Among the key details, House Bill 2032 will lower the top state income tax rate from 5.25 percent to 5.0 percent on Jan. 1, 2015. The following year, the rate will go to 4.85 percent after certain growth benchmarks are met.
“Lower tax rates mean more in the family pocketbook, which is good news as they will be allowed to keep more of their hard-earned money. In Obama’s economy, we all need the spare change where we can get it. This relief will go a long way toward ensuring Oklahomans have a smaller tax burden. And, as history shows, tax revenues will rise as a result of higher consumer spending,” Weston continued.
Likewise, Senate Bill 1062 offers an overhaul of the Oklahoma workers’ compensation system by replacing the old court-based system with an administrative system. This move will see a streamlining of the process, meaning lower wait times for claims processing and a fairer system for injured workers to receive fair compensation.
“The old system has been a headache for businesses and individuals alike for many years now,” Weston explained. “This is a fundamental, meaningful reform to the entire workers’ comp system.
It will help hundreds of small businesses in the state to prosper under the new rules and it will be a great thing for employees, as now they will be protected from an archaic system that didn’t really work.”
The final major piece of legislation, House Bill 1910, creates a pay-as-you-go format to fund improvements to state facilities, with a first priority on repairs to the crumbling Capitol building.
“Speaker Shannon nailed it when he explained the status quo on facilities upgrades: ignore the building, wait for it to decay and then borrow money to fix it,” Weston said. “This legislation will change how we address improvement projects like the one we’re considering for the Capitol.
Having a pay-as-you-go system will ensure we don’t saddle our children with more debt. We have to be more responsible with how we spend the tax dollars from our citizens, and this is a great step in the right direction.”
The announced agreements show that Oklahoma is in great hands with its current conservative leadership.
“As the new state chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party, my job is made much easier by the great leaders we have at the top of the party guiding our state,” Weston concluded. “All three of these individuals are bright, focused and concerned about the future of Oklahoma. I’m happy to report that our state’s future is in great hands because of the guidance of these leaders.”
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