New Yorkers Moving to Escape High Taxes

A story in the New York Post this week points out how New Yorkers, faced with a ridiculously high tax rate, are fleeing the Empire State in favor of locales with lower taxes.

The article states, "More than 1.5 million state residents left for other parts of the United States from 2000 to 2008, according to the report from the Empire Center for New York State Policy. It was the biggest out-of-state migration in the country. The vast majority of the migrants, 1.1 million, were former residents of New York City - meaning one out of seven city taxpayers moved out. ... It all adds up to staggering loss in taxable income. During 2006-2007, the 'migration flow' out of New York to other states amounted to a loss of $4.3 billion."

Imagine the disastrous effect losing $4.3 billion in tax revenues will have on New York, which already is faced with soaring budget deficits stemming from years of poor spending policies.

This story shows us the importance of keeping taxes low in order to keep the economy growing. In Oklahoma, we have steadily reduced our state income tax burden. It's important we don't' reverse that trend by enacting the kind of job-killing tax increases that are being considering on a national level and in a number of states.

We know we are blessed to live in a great state with friendly people and boundless natural resources. Our cost of living is low, especially compared to a place like New York, and you can't beat the quality of life here.

As more businesses and jobs leave New York, and other high-tax cities and states, the are going to move somewhere. That's why as governor, I'll work tirelessly to make sure that place is Oklahoma!

By enacting smart fiscal and tax policies and by continuing to build and educate our workforce, we can become a magnet for businesses leaving high-tax areas which will create more and better jobs here in Oklahoma!

Mary Fallin on McCarville Report Online

Thanks to the McCarville Report Online for posting comments by Mary Fallin on attempts by President Obama and liberal House Democrats to force a job-killing tax hike on small businesses to finance their plan for a government-run health care system.

This time, the president and House liberals are calling for a $800 billion in tax increases on small businesses during the worst economic recession in a generation.

Read Mary's comments about the plan here.

Campaign Update and Online Survey

Read the latest campaign update from Mary here.

If you're not already receiving e-mail updates and e-newsletters from the campaign, visit the Fallin for Governor Web site.

Thanks to Volunteers for Another Successful Night

We had another great turnout for volunteer night at the Fallin for Governor campaign office. We had so many people so up to help, we almost ran out of seats!

Thanks so much to all of you who showed up to volunteer! We truly appreciate the help and know that we can't win without your support.

Don't forget, we have volunteer night on the first and third Tuesday of the month. Please let us know if you'd like to lend a hand at future volunteer nights.

Thanks!

Volunteer Night at the Fallin Campaign

Tonight (October 20) we're having another volunteer night on the Fallin for Governor campaign. We need your help completing some projects around the office.

Volunteer nights are held the first and third Tuesdays of the month. So far, they have been a big success and big help for the campaign. Here's a picture of volunteers at work during the last volunteer night.

If you'd like to help us today (October 20), show up at the campaign office, 4308 N. Classen Blvd in Oklahoma City, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm and we'll put you to work!

Call the campaign office at (405) 343-0277 if you have questions.

Michael Behenna Deserves a Fair Trial

From the McCarville Report:

WASHINGTON ~ The Oklahoma Congressional Delegation today sent a letter to the Commandant of the United States Disciplinary Barracks, located at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, as the Army Clemency and Parole Board begins consideration of 1LT Michael Behenna’s clemency request.

In March, 1LT Behenna was convicted of unpremeditated murder while serving in Iraq and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Previous cases of similar or more aggravating circumstances, where the defendants were found guilty of premeditated murder, have resulted in less severe sentences, which prompted the delegation’s appeal to the Clemency Board for a careful review of this case and relevant precedent.

“We must ensure the Uniform Military Code of Justice is applied fairly for all of our service men and women and that, when discrepancies arise, we examine the circumstances as carefully as possible,” said Congresswoman Mary Fallin (OK-05). “I am grateful for Mr. Behenna’s service to our country and hope the circumstances of this case are carefully evaluated by the Clemency Board during this process."

Fallin said today’s hearing was in addition to ongoing efforts to secure a new trial for 1LT Behenna. “Since this case was first brought to our attention, we have never made any presumptions about guilt or innocence. Our only concern has been due process and the fair and equitable distribution of justice for our service men and women,” said Fallin.

Fallin Statement on September Revenue Collections

Mary Fallin released the following statement today in response to the announcement that state revenue collections are below estimates for the third straight month:

“Another month of revenue collections coming in below estimates shows me how important it is for Oklahoma to have a leader who is focused on improving our economy. I plan to be that leader. I will work tirelessly in the governor’s office to promote the kind of job growth and economic development we need to ensure an adequate source of revenue and sustained prosperity and security for our citizens."

“While the financial picture is not what we would like it to be in Oklahoma, it’s still brighter than in other states. As these states raise taxes or suffer from poor budgeting choices, we have the opportunity in Oklahoma to attract businesses looking for a business friendly environment. As your governor, you can bet I’ll seize that opportunity.”

Mary Fallin to Speak to OSU Students

Mary Fallin will be speaking to the Oklahoma State University College Republicans about her campaign for governor.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Monday and will be held on campus at the OSU Student Union, Room 408.

The meeting is free and open to the public. Pizza and drinks will be provided.


WHO: Mary Fallin

WHAT: Speaking to OSU College Republicans about her campaign for governor

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m.

WHERE: OSU Student Union, Room 408

Fallin column on "Cap and Trade" and domestic energy production

Here's a column Mary wrote for The Hill on the need for a national energy policy that focuses on increasing production of energy at home!

We need a comprehensive national energy policy that simultaneously reduces carbon emissions, diversifies our energy sources and reduces our dependence on foreign energy. Unfortunately the Cap and Trade bill passed this spring would do exactly the opposite. Controlling which energy sources are available to businesses, consumers and producers will drive up costs and drive employers out of business, to the tune of 20,000 lost jobs in Oklahoma alone.

That’s why we need an all-of-the-above domestic energy strategy - which includes oil and gas, wind, solar, nuclear and biofuels – rather than empowering the federal government to pick winners and losers. American-made energy means American-made jobs, which is especially critical during a recession.

When we increase domestic production of all energy sources, everybody wins. We create American jobs and secure our own energy independence. Last week I introduced the “Federal Exploration and Production Reform Act,” because I believe it is a step towards this goal. My legislation would significantly shorten the time it takes the Bureau of Land Management to process permit applications for exploration and production by eliminating much of the bureaucratic red tape that has discouraged domestic energy production.

In my home state of Oklahoma, drilling companies have waited up to two years for a drilling permit, which significantly stifles our ability to increase energy production at home. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this legislation, which is a sensible starting place for incentivizing domestic production.

- Mary Fallin

The Online Grassroots Continue to Grow

The support and momentum of our online grassroots movement continues to grow! Recently the Mary Fallin Facebook Fan Page (say that three times fast) surpassed 3,000 followers - the most of any Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate.

The page is a great way to interact with Mary and the campaign. And if you snap a few photos while attending a campaign event or wear a Fallin t-shirt to parade or other event, post your pictures in the "Fan Photo" section.

Did you know that Mary has a presence on Twitter too? We're just now over 400 followers and growing more and more every day. Click here to can follow the latest tweets from @MaryFallin.

Thanks to everyone who has helped make our online presence a tremendous success.

And don't forget to check out the campaign Web site at www.maryfallin.org. As always, you can sign up for e-updates, let us know when you want to volunteer or even securely donate to the campaign.

And just a heads up ... changes are coming soon to the Web site. Stay tuned!