Senate Gives Unanimous Approval to Bill Ending the Death Tax

The full Senate has given unanimous approval to a bill that will completely eliminate Oklahomas estate tax, also known as the death tax. Senate Bill 334, by Senators Mike Mazzei and Glenn Coffee, would provide immediate estate tax relief to non-lineal heirs, such as nephews and nieces, and would completely eliminate the death tax over a three-year period.

The Senate Republican Caucus has long held that the death tax is unfair and immoral. People work their entire lives to build a legacy to pass on to their family. They pay income taxes, sales taxes and property taxes for years and years, yet when they die, it is taxed all over again, explained Mazzei, R-Tulsa. It is very simply double taxation and something we need to end.
Mazzei said he was extremely gratified by the unanimous vote in the Senate on Thursday in support of the measure.

I think this vote is a strong reflection of the will of the people, said Mazzei. I firmly believe that this kind of meaningful tax reform will help us attract and keep jobs and people here in Oklahoma. This is a great day for our state.

I feel very optimistic about this measure as it moves to the House of Representatives. It is my hope that they will work quickly to get this bill approved and on Governor Brad Henrys desk for his signature, Mazzei said.