Statement from Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman Tom Ivester on Finance Committee passage of bills cutting/eliminating state income tax

“If we further decrease or eliminate the state income tax, it will require offsets in order to continue meeting current levels of funding for core services, such as education, transportation, public safety and health and mental health. Those pushing for reductions claim eliminating tax breaks and credits will do it. The math just doesn’t add up.

“The state income tax is one-third of Oklahoma’s revenue stream. Our current funding levels for those critical services are already inadequate, especially after several years of cuts because of the recession—ask any teacher, highway patrolman or county health department nurse. Take a look at our bridges, which continue to be ranked among the worst in the nation.

“Most of us have heard the saying that there is no such thing as a free lunch. The public needs to see numbers that actually add up.”