Okla. Lawmaker Fights Truck Tax Plan

January 24, 2000 9:45 AM, EST

An Oklahoma Republican is fighting a plan by a Democratic lawmaker that would drastically increase state truck registration costs.

“We lawmakers should not make hasty decisions that could damage the future of the state’s trucking industry,” said Rep. Larry Ferguson, the former Republican leader of the House.

Ferguson criticized legislation introduced by Rep. Russ Roach that would replace the state’s $10 flat tax on truck purchases with the same fee paid by car buyers — 3.5% of the purchase price ("Ruling Could Affect Okla. Truck Taxes," 12-13, p. 4). That could mean an increase of close to $3,000.

Ferguson said such a hike would undo all of the economic advantages the state garnered in the late 1980s when it lowered the truck excise tax and registration fees.

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