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Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
For Immediate Release: May 25, 2010
Sen. Randy Brogdon
Sen. Brogdon Says Tax Increase Unconstitutional
Sen. Randy
Brogdon was outraged Monday afternoon when his colleagues in
the Senate voted on a measure to create a health carrier fee –
a move he says was in direct violation of the Oklahoma Constitution.
“Article 5, Section 33 of the state Constitution says no revenue
increase should be passed during the last five days of the session,
which would be any time this week. This is basically a $78 million
tax increase,” said Brogdon. “The ‘yes’
votes on this bill Monday were in direct violation of the Oklahoma
Constitution.”
HB 2437 is now awaiting consideration by the Governor. The measure
would establish an access payment of one percent to be paid by health
carriers on all claims paid until January 1, 2015. Brogdon pointed
out that the cost of that fee increase would ultimately be passed
on to the citizens of Oklahoma.
“Proponents of this bill keep arguing that this is a fee increase
for insurance companies, but let’s be honest with ourselves.
If fees are raised for insurance companies, they’re going
to pass those costs on to their customers – the citizens of
Oklahoma,” said Brogdon. “I’m so disappointed
in my colleagues. Their vote Monday not only violated the Constitution,
but they also disregarded the needs of their constituents by approving
this fee increase, which will hurt citizens financially who are
already over taxed. I hope that Governor Henry recognizes the unconstitutionality
of this bill and vetoes it.”
For more information, contact:
Sen. Brogdon: (405) 521-5566
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