For Immediate Release: April 27, 2006

Senate Republicans to Push for ‘Up-or-Down’ Vote on Death Tax

Senate Republicans announced they will push for an up-or-down vote in the Oklahoma State Senate on Senate Bill 334, a bill to eliminate the death tax that was passed overwhelmingly by the House of Representatives on Tuesday. SB 334, which unanimously passed in the Senate earlier this year, must receive final approval from the Senate before it can be sent to the governor.

Sen. Mike Mazzei, author of SB 334, said his intention is to make a motion as early as next week to accept the House’s amendments to the bill so it can go directly to the governor instead of being sent to a conference committee.

“A large majority of Oklahomans want to see the death tax die, and this is our best chance ever to eliminate it. My intention is to seek an up-or-down vote in the Senate to accept the House’s amendments so this bill can be sent directly to the governor,” said Mazzei, R-Tulsa. “If this bill is sent to conference, my fear is it will never see the light of day.”

“The time has come to kill the death tax in Oklahoma,” stated Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City. “Eliminating the death tax will provide relief to thousands of small businesses and family farmers, and will help attract retirees and investments to our state.”

SB 334, as amended by the House, would fully repeal Oklahoma’s death tax, formally known as the estate tax, effective on July 1, 2007. SB 334 would have no fiscal impact on the state budget being developed during this legislative session. It would save Oklahoma taxpayers about $80 million a year beginning in the 2008 fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2007.

Just three Democrat votes are needed to pass the bill in the State Senate.

“All 22 Republican senators support this bill. If just three Democrat senators decide to join with us in standing up for family farmers and small businesses, we can send this bill to Gov. Henry,” Coffee said.

Senate Rule 12-8 clearly states, “Upon receipt of House amendments to Senate bills or resolutions, the Senate author shall make a motion to either accept the amendments, in which case a successful vote on the motion shall automatically advance the bill to Fourth Reading and final passage, or to reject the amendments and request conference with the House.”

For more information, contact:
Senator Mazzei's Office: (405) 521-5675