Oklahoma House Democrats say cutting taxes is too easy and raising taxes is too hard for the legislature.
House Minority Leader Emily Virgin says they’d like to see the thresholds set a two-thirds or 60 percent majority — lower than the three-fourths required for tax increases and higher than the simple majority needed for cuts.
"We can be flexible on the number, but applying that both to raising revenue and cutting revenue. Because that is — it’s a conversation that you have to have, looking at both ways," Virgin said.
Virgin said it’s an important issue for a session where she anticipates tax cut proposals because state revenues are up.
"While we always want to make sure that we’re good stewards of resources, I think most people would tell you, 'Keep my $30, and make sure that my child has a qualified teacher in the classroom,'" Virgin said.
Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson says Republicans could come around on 60 percent.
"I think that’s a number we can be there. Do I believe that we’ll pass something in the legislature to put it to a vote of the people? No," Thompson said. "I think if the people want that done, it’s going to have to be an initiative petition to get it done."
Voters enshrined the three-fourths majority needed for tax increases in the state constitution in 1992 by approving State Question 640. The legislature has raised taxes once since then.
