While lawmakers debate on Lincoln, Oklahomans along 23 Street watch
Sam Lee worked the food counter Tuesday at a northeast Oklahoma City convenience store, handing out egg rolls, fried chicken and other “grab-and-go” items to the incoming lunch crowd.
Just a few blocks away, thousands of Oklahomans gathered at the state Capitol, protesting a proposed tax increase on cigarettes, fuel and alcohol, while Republican leaders remain opposed to tax hikes on oil and gas production.
“They are raising the tax but they ain’t helping this side of town out,” said Lee, directing his comments to state lawmakers he believes have neglected his community, which has unemployment and poverty rates higher than the regional average.
North Lincoln Boulevard, which is home to the state Capitol and dozens of lobbying offices, is the center of a current political stalemate that has lawmakers debating tax increases along partisan lines.
But along 23 Street, which intersects with Lincoln Boulevard just north of the Capitol, Oklahomans visited gas stations, restaurants and liquor stores, while waiting for the Legislature to make decisions on taxes or cuts that will affect their livelihood.
Lee said he believes the state already had the money it needed, at least when he sees better roads and better schools in other parts of the state.
“They can afford the things they want but any (new taxes) won’t benefit us,” Lee said. “But we will be the ones paying the taxes.”
Require tax increases
Outside the convenience store on 23 Street, Michael Hall said the budget problems facing the state require tax increases on all Oklahomans.
“We are just going to have to do that. We've just got to pay the cost to be the boss,” Hall said.
“We got to toughen up as Oklahomans. I’d like to see everybody pay some (more) taxes. Not just oil and gas, but also us, the poor people. It’s a problem that is going to take all of us to solve.”
About a mile west on 23 Street, on the other side of the Capitol, Daniel Chae, owner of Urban, a Korean sandwich shop, said he wants lawmakers to increase the tax on oil and gas production.
“I think there should be a strong consideration for (gross production tax), because in comparison to other states we are way under,” Chae said.
Energy producers pay 2 percent on oil and gas produced from new wells. After three years, the rate jumps to 7 percent.
“If we are going to be serious about it, then everything has to be on the table,” Chae said. “And everything has been on the table, except for GPT, which I find very interesting.”
Despite their minority status, Democrats are needed to pass any tax increase.
But party leaders have refused to support Republican proposals without a vote on gross production taxes.
Blames both sides
Meagan Russell, who was leaving a 23 Street deli on Tuesday, said she blames both sides for the budget dilemma.
“Republicans keep saying the oil and gas companies can’t afford the tax increase,” said Russell, who added she is a Republican voter.
“But one (oil and gas) company has a new tower downtown, another company has its name on the side of an arena, so they have the money.
“But at some point Democrats might need to say 'enough is enough' and just move on with something.”
The current monthlong special session of the Legislature has been largely defined by inaction as lawmakers continue to debate ways to fill a $215 million budget hole.
But while the Capitol has been relatively quiet — except for an ongoing restoration project and Tuesday’s rally — 23 Street bustled with Oklahomans awaiting a decision from lawmakers that will either increase taxes, cut services or a combination of both.
“I’m glad they are up there speaking their mind,” said Lee, as he handed a hot sauce packet to a customer. “But I have to be here. I have to work.”