One of the top priorities for most legislators during the new legislative session is to adequately fund education. It will take money to give teacher raises, hire more teachers to decrease class size and equip schools with the technology to prepare our children to succeed in college, career tech and life. Where do we find extra dollars with a projected $300 million budget shortfall?
It has been 10 years since the last tax increase on cigarettes and tobacco products. During the last 10 years many states have increased their tax on cigarettes, resulting in Oklahoma receiving a “D” grade by health organizations for our relatively low tax rate on tobacco. These organizations know that the number one deterrent for a young person to start smoking is the price of cigarettes.
Those who know I am a physician are surprised that I support putting the money raised by our tobacco tax into education rather than healthcare. Truth is, education, more so than healthcare, is the key to Oklahoma’s future. In addition, education and the health of our state are inextricably linked. As the education level of a person goes up, the likelihood of that person smoking or having other unhealthy addictions goes down. In addition, as a person’s education level goes up, the less likely they are to be on welfare, be in prison or have their kids be in foster care—all situations that place the responsibility for the healthcare expense of the individual in the lap of the taxpayer. Yes, an increase in the tobacco product tax will provide immediate help for education, but in the long term, it will also help improve the overall health of our state.
Now you know why I support House Bill 1719, which would raise the tax on tobacco products and direct the money to be used for common education (grades pre-K through 12).
On another note—mark your calendar for the third weekend in July – July 18 and 19 – for an upcoming event on Grand Lake. More info to come in future columns.
Thanks for allowing me to serve as your state representative. I can be reached at dougcox@okhouse.gov or 405-557-7415.
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