The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

Every little bit helps:

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=298&articleid=20090421_298_0_Despit799360

Shameful political shenanigans....

So Guido, what gets cut out of the budget. Take the lead.....

Oklahoma historical society, Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission, all the BS licensing commisisons (barber, cosmotoligists, hearing aid fitters)...Go ahead, defend these programs to the taxpayers. I would also amend Oklahoma Governmental Tort Claims Act to include more exemptions from liability and improve the language in the statute as such applies to medical, road construction, and DMHSAS-related activities.

Helps what?  Helps compound our problems?

According the the article you posted:

Hickman claims that some (but not all) of this shortfall would be made up by federal stimulus next year.  So what's he saying?  That we should use one-time money to PRETEND we can afford tax cuts?  You don't have to be a math whiz to figure out that when the stimulus money runs out, you're left with an even BIGGER shortfall.  It's a variant of Grover Norquist's famous comment; Hickman is trying to drown government in his own stupidity.   

And Guido, millions of people visit these museums, historic sites, and natural areas.  Shutting down tourism in Oklahoma may not be the brightest move in the long run or the short run, but whatever.  We'll set that aside and give you credit for finding a grand total of about $4 million.  Apply that to the shortfall in the "Land of the Hick-man", and you only need to find $1 billion more.  Good for you!

We know that these tired old ideas are intellectually bankrupt, so driving the state into actual bankruptcy seems like showing off.  On a positive note, this growing collection of dim bulbs might make a dent in our energy consumption.

Dim bulbs use more energy per lumen, so no dent. :(

I think Guido and his ilk must be the same sort who think that Oklahoma roads and bridges aren't really bad at all, the whole crumbling infrastructure thing is just manufactured by the media to try and take more tax dollars.

I think it is a big mistake.  We are already in shortfall, and this reduction will only make it worse.  For me personally, they can keep the 1.1%.  I not rich by any stretch of the imagination, but 1.1% wouldn't really do much for my soon to be wife and I.

No, helps those of us paying mega taxes already. I know you have no problem with the evil "rich" paying more, but I do. We are supposedly in tough economic times here, everyone should belt tighten including our government. If that means that museums don't get their money, so be it. Sorry, that's how I feel.

Wow, that whopping 3.5 percent tax increase to pre-bush tax levels.

Although I guess if you make a gazillion dollars it would be more than us mere mortals make in a year.

 ::)

Poor timing on another tax cut.  I'm usually all about cutting taxes and waste, but I really don't see how the state can afford a cut in revenue right now.  The story says $600mm loss as a result of cutting to 4%?  I also don't like the idea of cutting budgets of agencies which help promote tourism (Historical, Scenic Rivers), and therefore an import, of dollars flowing into the state from visitors.

If they really wanted to cut taxes that bad and do it as a measure to help out those who might be struggling, cut state sales tax on groceries.

This isn't a liberal v. conservative issue here.  It's about common sense, and there is none in this tax cut.

I'm with Conan,

This is not the time. And when oil prices recover and the state is flush with cash again and is ready to cut taxes, the state needs to work to get out of the Sales Tax business. Oklahoma can start by ending sales taxes on groceries and by giving at least a penny back to local governments for infrastructure.

swake, agreed on the state sales tax. It isn't fair for the state to limit municipalities to sales tax revenue only and then go grab the first four cents.

No, get with the program.  Oklahoma's state and local tax burden is 19th this year, according to the Tax Foundation.  Oklahomans aren't paying "mega" anything...and it shows.

Bullcrap. I paid more in federal income tax this year than I did in the previous four years combined. If I get to keep a little more of MY money (get it, not YOUR money), I'm pleased.

 So if this decreases our over all tax burden, wouldnt that mean for instance, Tulsa could take some of that money which would have gone to the Oklahoma history museum and use it for the Tulsa History Museum or another attraction here? We are always complaining about how much of our money goes to the state and OKC gets more than its fair share. Well, less that goes to OKC means more we can use to decide what gets done with it locally in Tulsa. Though I do agree that, if they are going to cut programs/infrastructure/education,etc. they should give the cities the ability to choose to finance those things with income taxes not just sales taxes.

There are things we would like to have here in Tulsa. On the one hand the state has a tendancy to gyp Tulsa and give to OKC. But then when they cut state funding, they dont make it easy or fair for us to fund things our selves. We get screwed either way it seems.

OK, let me get this straight.

Guido, the Obama stimulus package gives you a tax break and runs up bigger deficits. You oppose it.

The state wants to give you a tax break and run up a bigger deficit. You support it.

Huh? This does not compute.

Either 1) you are making more money or 2) you are doing it wrong.

I'm getting a tax break? Gee, that's news to me.

so, apparently you're extremely overpaid, a compulsive liar, a troll or a little of all 3,  since all you apparently do is post drivel on a message board, day in / day out.

Day trading, which this little demon NEVA thought he'd be doing, keeps a constant tab on TNF these daze.

DO NOT RUN GWEE OFF. HE'S A NECESSARY EVIL. We actually need IPLAW and FB back too.....

Gweedo, do you have phantom income? It's scary. But like a wise man told me the first time taxes were paid,"If you pay taxes then you made money." You should be bragging after last years' results for the market. But really, putting politics over common sense you'd agree is bad policy.

And recall after WWII the country was bound together in post war trauma while tax rates were in the %80 range and there were few who complained. Back when the citizens believed in government. After all, they'd defeated Nazism. We were confidant. Tax shelter and deductibility of interest grew the country until Vietnam invaded the treasury as taking risk was subsidized to a degree.

CHANGE IS HERE!

I'm fine with IPLAW coming back, but you seem to forget why the bear was run out...

Why? Let me guess.....

He probably forgot to mention the car he gave to charity or the Philbrook membership or whatever that he paid for last tax year that reduced his tax burden. Either that or he's talking about the tiny increase due to being further along in the mortgage amortization reducing the amount of interest he paid.

(Either that or he was subject to AMT this year and not last year for some reason)

We can speculate all day, but he's not going to give us any more specifics as to why his situation should be generalized to the whole population.

To not confuse people, IP's hiatus is voluntary, FOTD and FB were ash-canned by moderators.

That explains my ankle bracelet......

:D

I'm sure the anti-semitic remarks and constant thread-jacks probably didn't help his case...  ;)

Nope to all three (although I make plenty of money), I have cut back on working from an office to spend more time at home. And I will respond to you like I did with another bigot who thought he was as clever as you, who ever said I was the one making the most money in my family. Duh, is it possible my wife earns more, or did just think she was at home barefoot and pregnant? 

Will he be back? And what happened to Inteller; anyone?

I wondered the same thing...maybe buried under the Target at 101st and Memorial?  Went up against the evil developer once more than he should've.

Your words, not mine.

 

Anger management?

There must have been some serious post election trauma syndrome for Inteller and Iplaw to disappear.

If you have not been out that way, it's just crazy with development. Luckily I live a little south and west from that mess.

so let me get this straight guido....if you made 200,000 last year, you are getting all upset over 2100 dollars??  I mean if you grossed 200,000 what in the hell does 2100 dollars mean to you?  Not trying to bust your chops, but it doesn't make much sense.  Like I stated before, I am all about keeping my hard earned money, but is it really that big of a deal?  Its an extra 150 a month! My goodness.  I took a mandatory 10% paycut at work, and while it is about 450 dollars a month for me, it wasn't the end of the world.  I can't imagine what would happen if that happened to you!