For Immediate Release: May 23, 2012
Senate Republicans demand vote on tax cut agreement
Senate Republicans gathered Wednesday to demand
a vote on an income tax cut agreement previously reached between
Governor Fallin, Speaker Steele, and President Pro Tem Bingman.
The agreement, announced on May 17th, was used in the final crafting
of House Bill 3061. Senate President Pro Tem Brian
Bingman, flanked by the entire Senate Republican caucus, condemned
House Republicans for backing out of a deal reached in good faith.
“A deal is a deal—this is something everyone in this
building has respected, at least until today,” said Bingman,
R-Sapulpa. “Last week, Senate Republicans stood with House
Republicans, and the Governor, to announce a significant tax cut
for the people of Oklahoma. We crafted the bill together, announced
it together, and committed to delivering for the people of Oklahoma
together. We are extremely disappointed to find House Republicans
aren’t true to their word.”
Senate Finance Chairman Mike
Mazzei defended the tax cut agreement between the Governor,
the Speaker, and the Pro Tem, and echoed Pro Tem Bingman’s
disappointment.
“House Republicans were with us at the beginning of this
legislative session—together, we said we would identify
and eliminate wasteful tax credits and giveaways that weren’t
in the best interest of Oklahomans so we could give that hard-earned
money back to taxpayers,” said Mazzei, R-Tulsa. “And
while Senate Republicans have taken on the tough issue of eliminating
these credits, our colleagues in the House chose instead to punt.
Last week, they picked up the ball—and working with Senate
Leadership and the Governor, agreed to a deal that moves the ball
down the field toward meaningful tax relief for Oklahomans. Now,
they’ve told us they can’t pass the tax cut we agreed
to—they’ve fumbled the ball—and they’re
trying to change the rules of the game in the 4th quarter, just
because the rules seem inconvenient.”
Senate Republicans remain supportive of the tax cut plan agreed
to by Governor Fallin, Speaker Steele, and Pro Tem Bingman.
