Echos, tulsa (12/19/2008 11:39:10 AM)

I say the state needs to cut the fat and maybe government wages to compensate.

HOGRIDER, (12/19/2008 12:07:38 PM)

How about those fancy new license plates we are getting. Nice time for that extra cost.

AMERICAN MISSY BY GOSH, Nice (12/19/2008 12:13:24 PM)

Kinda like something bad blowed in and stuck stright on our buttocks.How sad.The people of Oklahoma are the ones to suffer.

FS, Broken Arrow (12/19/2008 12:32:20 PM)

Not to worry - the politicians will be certain to take the shortfall from essential services to those least able to complain as is always done.

Ayo, T-Town (12/19/2008 1:00:24 PM)

'stimulus check'.......wasn't that bushey's plan? Seemed to work out nicely.

"The economy is strong and getting better". GWB

irwindale, Tulsa (12/19/2008 1:15:08 PM)

Dobrescu is still affraid of a black person. Must not have experienced other cultures around the world. Back to the budget. I am certain that even those at the capital saw a decrease in revenue comming and planned for it. Not!

getreal, (12/19/2008 1:24:56 PM)

Black Knight to the rescue? I hope so, the economy is entering a deep recession with no bottom in sight.

thehero, (12/19/2008 1:35:53 PM)

What can you say? Our Legislators managed to screw up another oil boom. Since the budget cut years of the 2003-2005, oil and gas revenues were very strong. This gave a surplus of revenue to the State. So what did our Legislators do? They cut the State income taxes claiming that this would spur our economy. Obviously, these tax cuts have not. Now that oil and gas revenues have declined, the impact of the tax cuts is becoming evident to the tune of $581 million. What is even more ludicrous is the income tax trigger the Legislators have put in place. We could have several years of declining State revenue and then have one good year which could trigger the automatic income tax cut. The first thing our Legislators should do is eliminate the automatic trigger. This probably will not happen given the current Legislative makeup. It is sad that with all the State’s needs such as road and bridge repair, prison improvement, education needs, etc., they chose cut taxes instead of addressing these needs when times were good. This year was a “standstill” budget year. Next year, it appears that all State entities will have to cut their budgets, including all school districts in Oklahoma. Again, what can you say? Our Legislators had the opportunity but screwed it up.

Original Floyd R Turbo, Rural (12/19/2008 2:53:32 PM)

newshound, look back at your news stories again. The crisis was precipitated by the pending failure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Democratic government entities if ever there was...created under Carter, expanded under Clinton, failing under a strongly democratic congress just before an election. Our youthful governor took credit for the increase in revenues in the oil and gas boom, though I doubt he'll take blame in the next 2 years as he tries to figure out how to pay for his pet projects when oil's under $40 a barrel. I think Mr. Keating will tell him that it ain't easy. That Oklahoma is spending $7 billion is mind-boggling. How did we get so dependent upon government?

SBH, OKC (12/19/2008 3:04:15 PM)

Hero, I agree the stupidity of the arguement promulgated idealogues inside our legislature today is truly mind boggling. Their arguement based on supply-side economics is truly mindblowing at the state level when these idiots are actually making the arguement it will increase government revenues through economic growth.

1st, you have assume that all of the money returned to taxpayers will be spent in your state. Obviouly that isn't applicable today when you have things like the internet and availabilty of travel. Probably just meant people blew more at indian casinos, vegas or cancun.

2nd, obviously tax revenues are not as elastic as these morons dreamt them to be. If they would have taken a basic class in economics they might have actually taken the time to figure out where we stand on the parabolic laffer curve. That might be asking too much people like Bankrupt farmers/businessmen like Randy Terril. You wonder why they are bankrupt?

3rd, they didn't understand where the growth of tax revenues was occuring. Obviously with a 7% gross production tax and nat gas prices falling and declining rig count, you will see declining revenue...so naturally you need to cut income taxes because there are never boom bust cycles in oil and gas.

Jeff Shaw, (12/19/2008 3:50:17 PM)

Have you ever noticed that when the country is going through something bad, some Oklahoma state or local official comes out to say in the Tulsa World that its not as bad here as it is in the rest of the country? We've got it good here compared to everyone else.

But we rate near the last in nearly every category such as education, health, poverty, etc.? What's up with that?

irwindale, Tulsa (12/19/2008 3:54:39 PM)

Selfishness. Remember that this states first newcomers cheated the system. Hence Sooner!

Paula, Midtown (12/19/2008 4:06:59 PM)

Cut spending. It's not that hard. People do it every day. If we can, the government can.

Paula, Midtown (12/19/2008 4:10:56 PM)

5 years ago the state budget was $5 billion, now it's over $7 billion. That's a 40% increase in just 5 years. How many people in this state has seen a 40% pay raise? Very few indeed, I'm sure. There's plenty there to cut.

thehero, (12/19/2008 4:38:09 PM)

Paula,

Keep in mind that 5 years ago, the State was coming off 2 1/2 years of budget cuts and revenue shortfalls and the State Budget reflected this back then. Since that time, State revenues (mostly oil and gas) have been the driving force in the increase in State revenues. Keep in mind that with State government, the only real way to cut spending is by reducing personnel. This means reducing services statewide including areas such as public safety, road and bridge repair and education.

John M, Tulsa (12/19/2008 5:21:54 PM)

How much tax revenue has been lost due to illegal immigrants who receive cash wages and do not have any taxes withheld from their salaries?

ajohnb, Jenks (12/19/2008 8:35:58 PM)

Easy Fix

Tax the illegals, and make them pay for state services rendered.

John M, Tulsa (12/19/2008 9:30:45 PM)

Easy fix? How can you withhold taxes from their wages if they are paid in cash?

ajohnb, Jenks (12/20/2008 10:52:02 AM)

Hold the emploers accountable and take away the "casual labor" clause that is tax deductible.

You HAVE to hold the companies responsible.

I managed a trucking company and there were "lumpers" to load and unload the trucks for cash. The average lumper made over 70K a year in cash and how much do you think was reported. They would not show their license or social security cards so taxes would be withheld. Most of them had working wives and they "lived" off their wives and the wives benefits. They would work 2-3 hours and charge for at least 4 several times a day.Then they would go home and drink beer.

You HAVE to make the companies responsible. Or get the state to come after these guys. Everytime I called the state labor comission they told me to go to the Tax Commission and then they told me to go to my legislator. Of course, THEY would look into it, and then the whole process would start again. I tried to get the state to do something for 7 years before I just gave up dealing with it.