The special election to replace the disgraced Bryce Marlatt in the Oklahoma Senate is getting muddy. Casey Murdock is now launching a speculative attack on one of the most dedicated champions of the Republican Platform, Carolyn McLarty. Dr. McLarty has been an effective defender of Oklahoma fiscal and social conservatism as a member of the Republican National Committee & Chairing a subcommittee of the national party's platform committee. OKGOP leaders have expressed great disappointment at Murdock's besmirching of the retired veterinary physician from Woodward. McLarty has long been an active member of Oklahoma Eagle Forum and the Federation of Republican Women. McLarty's advocacy for traditional conservative values is far more reliable than is Murdock's shameful score of just 10% Conservative in the 2017 Conservative Index, and he scored a ZERO % Republican in the RINO Index for 2017. |
The total State budget is over 16 billion. The shortfall from the unconstitutional cigarette tax was $214 million, just 1.2% of the budget. When our families Revenue comes in short, we have to reduce unnecessary expenses we can't just go and take money from our neighbors.
But Casey Murdock didn't want to cut wasteful spending. Instead he voted for the largest tax increase in State history, House Bill 1054X, a $500 million tax increase. That's like taking money away from your neighbor to pay your bills before you cut your own unnecessary expenses.
This tax increase if it is past would have killed thousands of oil field jobs, close down dozens of convenience stores in Border counties like in NW OK because people would just go across the state line to buy their items. And it would have been very unfair to rural voters, because it would have cost us each hundreds of dollars a year in extra fuel taxes. City people don't have to drive as far as we do here in rural Oklahoma.
And this tax increase was completely unnecessary. The budget bill that did pass, HB1019X, preserved funds for Rural hospitals, Rural schools and conservation districts without a tax increase by cutting Less Than 0.36% from less essential parts of state government. But Casey Murdock voted no on this budget bill. By voting no on the budget bill, Murdock threatened funds for Rural hospitals and Rural schools. How can you justify voting yes on the huge tax increase and voting no to fund core services without a tax increase?
It's wrong to raise taxes when there is so much waste and corruption in state spending. Just look at the Scandal at the health department for an example of the corruption in our state government. Raising taxes now will accomplish nothing except covering up this corruption.

- HB 1427 Out of State Tax Collection
- HB 1449 Electric Vehicle Tax
- HB 1837 Lottery % Raid
- HB 1845 REAL ID
- HB 2131 10% sales tax rebate scheme
- HB 2348 Deduction Freeze
- HB 2351 Tax Incentive Credit
- HB 2356 Franchise tax date move
- HB 2367 Sales tax collector clawback
- HB 2372 $1.50 cigarette tax increase
- HB 2387 OJA bonds
- HB 2389 Health Dept Bonds
- HB 2403 Tax Deduction Limit
- HB 2414 Log rolling 3 tax bill
- HB 2433 Car Sales Tax
- SB 38 Fee increase
- SB 120 Aerospace Tax Credit Extension
- SB 170 Income Tax Rate Cut Reversal
- SB 786 Soft on Crime bill
- SB 845 Smoking “fee”
He voted for multimillion dollar tax increases on vehicle purchases, electric vehicle fees, a cut in personal deductions in our income taxes, a tobacco tax, a tax increase on petroleum royalties, and even voted to force a sales tax on purchases which Oklahomans make while in other states.
If posting Murdock's voting public voting record is negative, it's because he voted negatively. But to fantasize a narrative about one of Oklahoma's most trusted conservatives, is beyond shameful. It's utter desperation.