Democrats, Republicans clash over cigarette tax in Oklahoma

[nicnik]

Democrats, Republicans clash over cigarette tax in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma House rejected a proposed $1.50-per-pack tax on cigarettes to help stave off cuts to the state's health care system, with Democrats uniting against the plan until it includes an expansion of Medicaid for the working poor.
Even after more than two hours of efforts by Republicans to wrangle votes, the bill failed on a vote of 59-40 late Wednesday. The author indicated he may bring the bill back to the floor for reconsideration, but it cannot pass without some Democratic support.

The 30 House Democrats have said they won't support the tax until Republicans agree to some version of Medicaid expansion that would allow Oklahoma to tap into hundreds of millions of dollars available to states through the Affordable Care Act.

"Our entire position has been consistent since day one," said House Democratic leader Rep. Scott Inman. "If they want to do a cigarette tax, we'll do it with them if they choose to bring those federal dollars home. We haven't changed.

"It makes no sense to say we have to have a $180 million cigarette tax, but leave $900 million on the table. We can have both."

 

[Lessifer]

Does OK exist in some alternate universe?

 

[Rossum]

Does OK exist in some alternate universe?

I'm starting to think it's ALL an alternate universe.

 

[zoiDman]

The 30 House Democrats have said they won't support the tax until Republicans agree to some version of Medicaid expansion that would allow Oklahoma to tap into hundreds of millions of dollars available to states through the Affordable Care Act.

So Wait a Minute. One Party is going to Hold Up something Unless the other Party does something they Want?

Wow. What a Unique Idea. Strange that No One has Thought of doing that before?

 

[Lessifer]

So Wait a Minute. One Party is going to Hold Up something Unless the other Party does something they Want?

Wow. What a Unique Idea. Strange that No One has Thought of doing that before?

Yeah, the saddest part is, it's not an argument over whether or not the tax is right or necessary.

 

[zoiDman]

Yeah, the saddest part is, it's not an argument over whether or not the tax is right or necessary.

"Right" and "Necessary" are two words that Seldom have an Agreed meaning between Legislators and those they are supposed to be Representing.

 

[nicnik]

"Right" and "Necessary" are two words that Seldom have an Agreed meaning between Legislators and those they are supposed to be Representing.

In this case, both sides seem to agree. Raise the tax..

 

[zoiDman]

In this case, both sides seem to agree. Raise the tax..

I wonder what Percentage of OK Residents agree with them?

 

[Lessifer]

In this case, both sides seem to agree. Raise the tax..

It's a sad commentary on the state of American politics. A tax increase, that will do nothing to further what it is supposedly intended to do, being held up even though neither side opposes it, because there is a disagreement over an unrelated issue.

Is it any wonder that some of the best sources of "news" information are "comedy" shows?

 

[nicnik]

because there is a disagreement over an unrelated issue.

Not exactly unrelated, if you go by what the Dems say is their objection.

 

[Lessifer]

Not exactly unrelated, if you go by what the Dems say is their objection.

Maybe they wouldn't need the tax if they were to get the medicaid money...

 

[nicnik]

Maybe they wouldn't need the tax if they were to get the medicaid money...

If only that were what the Dems would say, instead. They're drooling for the tax, and we know it.