If citizens keep passing tax increases, they lose all chance for reform.

That’s what happened when the Oklahoma Legislature voted in a teacher pay hike in 2018. Teachers rightly got more money but out-of-control administrators were not constrained one bit by new legislation.

That’s exactly what will happen if Tulsa voters approve a new $639,000,000.00 sales tax increase on November 12.

First, it is a tax increase. The mayor, the city councilors and the liberal media will tell you that it is not a tax increase. That’s deception. This tax was so distasteful when it was first proposed that city officials had to make it a temporary tax that would expire. After it expires, the voters can vote in a new tax.

Secondly, there is almost no fiscal accountability at City Hall right now. An oversight committee for a sales tax is weak because the volunteer members of those committees generally don’t have the time or resources to ferret out fiscal monkey business. They pretty much have to follow staff reports. Do voters really want to give these city councilors total control on how to spend a million dollars each? Not really.

Tulsa streets are a mess. And the money being spent to repair and expand them is being used poorly. Plus, the projects take too long because there are too many going on at one time. That is terribly inconvenient for motorists and harmful to business – especially small businesses that depend on traffic counts.

That’s why voters should vote no on November 12. That will force city leaders to go back to the drawing board and create some much-needed reforms on how Tulsa does business.