By Rep. Jason Murphey

One of the types of bills I am most disappointed to see appear on the floor of the House is a bill that makes a seemingly small but expansive change in the way an incentive program or tax credit give away is allotted to some special interest somewhere. I believe that most legislators have no clue about the identity of the special interest or group that is set to benefit from the change but are simply asked to support the bill in the name of economic development.

Over the past few years any number of programs have popped up that give away your money to any number of entities that will benefit from the special consideration of one of these incentive programs. The programs are usually created in the name of economic development which means it is very hard for most legislators to vote against them and run the risk of being seen as anti-growth.

Now, these programs appear to be slowly expanding to include more and more special interests. These groups are no doubt willing to invest in the lobbyists and build relationships with legislators in order to be successful in expanding these programs to include themselves.

I feel that Oklahoma’s elected officials are putting us on a dangerous road down a path where anyone who can afford a high price lobbyist can create a special program that provides their specific interest with financial gain at the expense of the average taxpayers who are unknowingly forced to carry the burden of paying for these pay outs. Read more…

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 Sen Gumm: Mandate Myths From “The Daily Oklahoman” Opinion Page

Video: KXII First News Forum – Segment 1 – Sept. 28, 2008

Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, is the guest on this edition of KXII’s First News Forum. Forum is a weekly public affairs program hosted by Anchor Charlie Haldeman. The show is broadcast Sunday mornings at 6 a.m. on KXII-TV, serving southern Oklahoma and north Texas.