Murphey: The immorality of new taxation

Over the past few days Oklahomans have been rightly alarmed by the late session, last minute tax increase attempts. This includes a tax increase proposal from House leaders to create a new tax on “services”.

Oklahoma law has historically held services harmless from direct taxation. Those who provide services must already pay income tax on their earnings. The politicians are now suggesting that they must also assess a “services” tax. You will pay this tax when you pay your bill to your service provider. It will be assessed much like a sales tax.

Here’s an example of how this new tax scheme will affect you: when you get a haircut at the barbershop the barber will add the new tax on his services to you. You will undergo two haircuts on that day: the first from the barber — and the second from a cash hungry state government.

Politicians will likely start with a tax on a few unfortunate industries. In future years they will expand this tax to others using the logic of: “if we are service taxing one industry, isn’t it only fair for us to tax the others?”

At this point, it’s not clear which services would be the unfortunate victims of the first wave of new taxation. Neither is it clear what criteria will be used to decide those services to tax and the ones that will be held harmless — for now!

It’s an extremely short sighted move. Everyone loses when government creates new taxes and increases the tax burden on the public.

It’s not hyperbolic to suggest that the federal, state and local governments, and their many related entries are now taking half of your income through ever increasing direct taxation, overpriced services, fees and regulation, and the many hidden costs which are passed on to you in some form.

This cost is wreaking havoc upon society.

The cost of government has become major facet in the decline of families. It places tremendous financial stressors upon families, forces both parents to work full time jobs and takes their focus away from their children.

Society is paying a terrible price; and, so is the government. The cost of the education system, human services, public safety and corrections will only continue to skyrocket as family values continue to come under pressure and government does even more harm to the ability of Oklahomans to focus on their families.

Though the tax increases might provide more money to government in the short term; the long term cost will haunt society.

When politicians approve new taxation they contribute to this great immorality.

As I have thought through these matters, I have determined to never be a party to this immorality.

Instead of supporting tax increases I have been convicted of the importance of eliminating the practices within government that continue to waste million of dollars every year.

The enactment of the tax increases will only serve to protect this waste and inefficiency.

Thank you for reading this article. Your interest and input are much appreciated. Please do not hesitate to email Jason.Murphey@hd31.org with your thoughts and suggestions.

Sincerely,