Court tosses governor candidate’s lawsuit
The Oklahoma Supreme Court has declined to rule on a lawsuit filed by Republican gubernatorial candidate Gary Richardson.
Richardson sued the state this year, claiming several measures that were signed into law actually were unconstitutional attempts at raising revenue.
In the lawsuit, Richardson asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court to invalidate bills that raised the sales tax on vehicle purchases, created a fee for driving an electric car and will freeze Oklahomans' standard income tax deduction to current levels instead of tying it to the federal rate.
Most of his claims were addressed in other lawsuits this year. The automobile sales tax was legal, the court said. About a week ago, justices sided with the Sierra Club, who argued the electric car fee was unconstitutional.
The court, however, said it's too early to say whether the standard deduction freeze will actually raise any revenue, a key component to deciding whether the bill is unconstitutional. The Oklahoma Constitution has strict limits on legislation that raises revenue, including when it can be adopted and how many lawmakers support it.
Richardson addressed the electric car fee after the earlier ruling.
“I am thankful that the State Supreme Court recognized that the Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax Fee levied on hybrid and electric vehicles was an illegal tax increase,” Richardson said.
In a news release on Wednesday, Richardson said he will fight against unconstitutional tax increases.
“This was never about which lawsuit overturned the unconstitutional tax increases. It was about getting them overturned for the citizens of our state who know that raising taxes is not the answer to our current deficits,” Richardson said. “Because of the actions of all who challenged these unconstitutional laws, the tobacco tax and the electric/hybrid vehicle tax have been overturned. I am proud to stand with everyone who fought to protect our Constitution and I will continue to fight any unconstitutional tax increases from our state leaders, whether as a private citizen or as the next governor of Oklahoma.”