Legislative Leaders Announce Appointments to Tax Reform Task Force

Oklahoma City – Oklahoma State House Speaker Larry Adair and Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor today announced their appointments to a citizen-legislator task force on tax reform.

Created by legislative leaders and Governor Frank Keating, the 32 member panel has been charged with reviewing reform of the Oklahoma tax system and making recommendations to the Legislature. Half of the task force appointments are being made by Speaker Adair (D-Stilwell) and Senator Taylor (D-Claremore), and half are being made by Gov. Keating. Two co-chairs, one selected by the governor and one by legislative leaders, will lead the group.

Task force co-chair selected by Speaker Adair and Sen. Taylor
Don Davis, President, Cameron University

Task force members appointed by Speaker Adair
Bob Anderson, past chairman, Oklahoma Tax Commission
Richard Dowell, businessman, commercial real estate
Rose Ham, senior tax attorney, The Williams Corporation
Jimmy Harrel, businessman, banker/rancher
Don Roldolph, Mayor City of Clinton, tax attorney
Sherilyn Young, Oklahoma Lumberman's Association
Rep. Debbie Blackburn, House Banking & Finance Committee Chair
Rep. Clay Pope, House Revenue & Taxation Committee Chair

Task force members appointed by Sen. Taylor
Carolyn Crowder, OEA President
Jody Parker, businessman
John Massey, businessman
Don McCorkell, businessman
Dwight Watson, businessman
Sen. Cal Hobson, Senate President Pro Tempore designate
Sen. Angela Monson, Senate Finance Committee chair

Governor Keating and legislative leaders have asked the task force to determine whether the state's tax policy can be modified in a way that would stimulate economic growth while maintaining the current level of revenues. The group will also provide specific recommendations for implementing any such modifications.

The task force has been given a deadline of April 12th to submit a final report to the Governor and legislative leaders.