Every Monday through June 3, the Tulsa World will publish answers from Tulsa mayoral candidates on questions about major issues. Today's question:
Dewey Bartlett
Current mayor (elected 2009)
New job creation is without question the best way to expand Tulsa's sales tax base.
In 2009, I promised that I would be the "jobs gettingest mayor." When I took office, Tulsa had lost 18,000 jobs, but because of my common-sense management, which fosters an environment for business, Tulsa is making great strides in job growth. In the past three years, we've added 9,000 jobs. It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that Tulsa was recently ranked in Forbes magazine as the No. 1 place for young entrepreneurs to start a business.
Let's keep a good thing going.
Bill Christiansen
Former city councilor (2002-11)
As we all must live within our means, the city must also live within its means.
The best way to increase revenue is to create more taxpayers. A fully employed community means more spending and more sales tax collection.
Focused, aggressive economic development - shifting to a proactive rather than reactive approach - will attract jobs from current and new employers. We should be proactive by setting up satellite offices in unfriendly business states for recruitment.
We need transparent municipal government that spends money as allocated by the voters. Raising taxes is not an option.
Kathy Taylor
Former Tulsa mayor (2006-09)
Create a good environment for business growth - a safe city, good streets and transportation, strong schools.
The city can't create businesses, but it can plant seeds (like we did with ONEOK Field and Tulsa Hills) allowing private business to invest and grow.
We must nurture small businesses/entrepreneurs - 94 percent of Tulsa jobs are at companies with under 100 people. Programs like Tulsa Achieves, which has helped 10,000 Tulsans attend college, provide a trained workforce that attracts new businesses and strengthens existing ones.
No new taxes - continue to enhance collection of existing fees and taxes and ensure funds are spent wisely.
Tulsa Mayoral Race
Read stories on the Tulsa mayoral race, including ad fact-checking, bios on the candidates and more.
Local Politics
City voters on Nov. 12 will consider separate ballot propositions to extend 1.1 percent in sales taxes up to seven years for $563.7 million in roadwork and other capital improvements projects and to issue $355 million in general obligation bonds mainly for nonarterial roadwork.
Mayor Dewey Bartlett and former Mayor Kathy Taylor have eight weeks to make their cases before voters go to the polls Nov. 12.
