Gubernatorial hopefuls differ on teacher raise tax package
OKLAHOMA CITY — Gubernatorial hopefuls are deeply divided over the state’s 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 The initial package also contained a new occupancy tax on hotel and motels, but lawmakers later repealed that.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 Legislature’s and the governor’s 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 Just the fact that the hotel/motel tax was repealed a week later proves the point.”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.