For Immediate Release: September 17, 2007                            

Senate Republicans Will Consider Proposal to Exempt Overtime Pay from Taxation

Republican leaders in the Oklahoma Senate said they are willing to consider a proposal to exempt overtime pay from income taxes. Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, announced Monday he is introducing the legislation.

“The idea of exempting overtime pay from income taxes is being promoted nationally by prominent Republicans like former Speaker Newt Gingrich, and it is an idea Senate Republicans are willing to consider here in Oklahoma,” stated Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.

“Oklahoma’s income tax rate is too high, so we are continually looking for ways to reduce the tax burden on Oklahoma families,” Coffee said.

Meanwhile, the Republican co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee said he is willing to give Corn’s bill a hearing, unless Senate Democrats decide to kill it.

“Republicans would like to give Sen. Corn’s bill a hearing, but my Democrat counterpart on the Finance Committee can kill the bill unless he agrees to hear it,” stated Sen. Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa.

For more information contact:
Senate President Co-Pro Tempore Coffee's Office - (405) 521-5636