Oklahoma State Senate

For Immediate Release: October 6, 2005

Senator Randy Brogdon

Taxpayer Bill of Rights means lower taxes

Statement from Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso
State Senator Dist 34

“More than two thirds of Oklahoma taxpayers approve of holding the growth of state government to a reasonable level. Unfortunately the other third, the big spenders, are trying to stifle very good legislation by portraying a dishonest view of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights initiative (TABOR).

The main point of TABOR is to limit the growth of government from one year to the next based on the combined total of inflation and population increase (Popflation). Simply put--TABOR means lower taxes! Since there are very few politicians who will show restraint and self control when it comes to spending your money, a Taxpayer Bill of Rights is desperately needed.

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights is good for all Oklahomans because it allows you to keep more of your hard earned dollars. That means more money in your pocket to spend on your family, instead of sending it to the legislature to increase the size of government.

The guardrails set in place by TABOR would give Oklahomans the power to rein in out-of-control spending, reduce the size of government, implement fiscal responsibility, and ensure a prioritized budget. Recently the Wall Street Journal reported that “TABOR gives government an incentive to take on self-correcting tasks that aren't in its nature”.

With TABOR in place, the Oklahoma economy can begin to climb from the cellar of economic despair. No longer should we put up with low wages, high taxes and economic uncertainties. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights is the first step up the long and arduous climb out of the cellar.

It all boils down to this: We can either protect the old ways of Oklahoma politics, or change the way we do business. I believe it is time for a change. Oklahomans have a chance to increase their personal income, reduce government spending, and expand the economy by passing The Taxpayer Bill of Rights Amendment. It is time to renew our commitment to the Reagan Revolution of lower taxes, limited government and personal responsibility. It’s time to TABORIZE!”