It’s hard to believe another state legislative session is already underway in Oklahoma. 2012 will prove to be an important year as lawmakers consider sweeping tax reforms that will eliminate Oklahoma’s income tax. While we encourage lawmakers to embrace these reforms to ensure long-term economic stability and an even better business climate, we hope they don’t adjourn without also passing reforms to address the growing fees all citizens pay on our monthly phone bills.

Americans for Prosperity – Oklahoma supports Governor Mary Fallin’s plan to lower and eventually repeal the state income tax. The governor’s plan would slash the income tax rate from 5.25 percent to 3.5 percent and gradually phase out the tax. Her plan comes amidst announcements of similar income tax repeal proposals in neighboring Missouri and Kansas and substantial tax relief proposals in seven other states.

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin is starting to feel surrounded. On her state's southern border, Texas has no income tax. Now two of its other neighbors, Missouri and Kansas, are considering plans to cut and eventually abolish their income taxes. "Oklahoma doesn't want to end up an income-tax sandwich," she quips.