Prospects brighten for cigarette tax increase in Oklahoma
That's why there were major doubts in February when Gov.
Since then, the state's budget hole has grown to a record
Rep.
He said interest in the bill picked up after news broke that the
Cox said such a cut would cause many nursing homes and rural hospitals to go out of business and could lead many doctors to decline to serve
He needs 76 votes in the 101-member House for the bill to clear that chamber.
There are 71
On Thursday, House Minority Leader
"We are encouraged by the discussion and hope next week to find a bipartisan solution to the health care crisis in
"Right now I'm optimistic."
However, Cox said that even if
have enough support among
Cox urged the governor to push the issue.
"If it's one of her priorities, she needs to follow through and meet one-on-one with caucus members," he said.
"Folks that are pushing the legislation from the outside are talking to members, and they seem encouraged that they are getting close to the support they need," he said.
If the Legislature fails to pass the tax hike, it could be referred to the ballot by a simple majority vote of senators and representatives. However, that would mean a delay in receiving the funding, and it would be uncertain if it would pass at the polls.
"Tax increases are unpopular for some, but the proposed cuts would be so devastating, lawmakers don't want to be responsible for that outcome either," he said.
"Either support a cigarette tax increase or see nursing homes close and hospital units close and home and community based providers go out of business. We may be in a situation where the crisis is severe enough where legislators will overcome their resistance to taxes and vote for it."
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