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| Oklahomans To Decide On Tobacco Tax Increase8 October 2004 15 26 Source »»»OKLAHOMA CITY -- On Election Day, Oklahomans will decide whether to pay more to light up through a tobacco tax increase. State Question 713, which was adopted by the Legislature earlier this year, asks whether state residents are willing to pay 55 cents more for a pack of cigarettes. According to the provisions included in the measure, the additional funding would help keep Oklahoma's only level-one trauma center open. Supporters also say the increase would provide millions of dollars for health care needs in Oklahoma. The bill has plenty of obvious support from the medical community, but some Oklahoma teachers are also campaigning for the measure. Oklahoma Federation of Teachers spokesman Clifton Ogle said the increase could mean more money for students. "There's only so much room on the pie of the general fund that comes from the state," Ogle said. "For us, it would mean more money available from the state." Ogle said he also believes SQ 713 would give Oklahoma children the health care they need. "They have various health problems," he said. "You ask them, 'Have you seen a doctor?' Well, Mom and Dad can't afford it or Mom and Dad's health insurance got canceled, so we're going to have to wait." However, opponents told Eyewitness News 5's Rachel Kim that the tax increase will hurt more than help. Steve Bruner represents the Tobacco Retailers Alliance. He said a tax increase is bad enough -- but he claims that's only part of his clients' problem with the legislation. "When retail stores lose these tobacco sales, they'll have to make up the loss of sales by increasing the price of other products," Bruner said. Bruner also said that Oklahoma communities would lose tobacco tax revenues because of the state tax increase, which could drive people to purchase their cigarettes elsewhere. "(Those are) taxes that are needed to fund fire and protection and police protection," Bruner said. Supporters of the measure said that municipalities would not suffer as much as opponents claim. According to the measure, some money from the new taxes would be given to state, county, and local government. Other funds would go toward building a world-class cancer research and treatment center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Individual income tax payers would also see lower tax rates, according to the legislation. SQ 713 will be on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.
ChannelOklahoma.com.
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