One thing people love to tout about Oklahoma is the low cost of living. Read any list with Oklahoma on it, good or bad, and they will always mention that at least it doesn't cost a lot to live here.
Sadly, it looks like that may change. In her State of the State address, Mary Fallin mentioned the state could collect over $800-million in revenue if we expand Oklahoma's sales tax to include services. She was pretty vague on what that meant, but the Oklahoman has uncovered the details...
From NewsOK:
Oklahoma cities and counties would be in line to receive a $769 million jump in annual revenue if lawmakers approve Gov. Mary Fallin's proposal to expand Oklahoma's 4.5-cent sales tax to include an exhaustive list of new services, The Oklahoman has learned.
Doctor visits, legal fees, funeral services, insurance purchases, cable television, utility bills, child care, nursing home services and banking and real estate transactions are just a small sampling of the 164 services that would be newly taxed by the state, cities and counties, according to documents obtained through the state Open Records Act.
Less common services that also would be taxed include tattoos, pet grooming, lawn services, fur storage and taxidermy.
We're quick to criticize our governor, but good for Mary for spending the time to comb through an exhaustive list of 164 services to tax. That takes a lot more time and energy than more reasonable plans, like raising income taxes on the wealthy. Plus, that would be fair. In Oklahoma, we can't do that.