Claremore Daily Progress

Our View

March 7, 2010

Energy Stablization Fund good idea

Rep. Ben Sherrer State Representative - District 8

OKLAHOMA CITY — After five weeks in the legislative session we are moving through the nearly 550 bills that came out of committees and are now eligible for consideration before the full House of Representatives.

 With the focus being on the budget I have been particularly interested measures that save money and look forward to stabilization in the future.  That’s why I am very supportive of a plan to create a state energy stabilization fund.  Similar to the Rainy Day Fund, which is unique to Oklahoma, the energy stabilization fund would serve a similar purpose The plan calls for an automatic collection of gross production taxes above a three year average for deposit into the fund.  In years when gross production taxes fall below the three year average, the fund will automatically deposit the difference into the state’s general revenue fund to help mitigate budget shortfalls.

Wild swings in natural gas prices and the economic ramifications of price instability are one of the main causes of the state’s current budget shortfall.  The automatic deposits and collections will help minimize the impact of constant fluctuations in energy prices, which often heavily influence revenue collections in the state budget. Under the plan, interest from the principal in the fund would be used to fund enhanced energy recovery research. It is predicted Oklahoma may be sitting on untapped energy resources because the technology to get those resources out of the ground does not yet exist.  The fund would not only serve as a way to stabilize energy tax collections, but also help expand research that over time could give a boost to Oklahoma’s economy.

Please let me hear from you on this or any other issue now pending before the legislature.  I can be reached at ben@bensherrer.com or 800-522-8502. Until next week, God bless you.

• Ben Sherrer is state representative for District 8, representing  is state senator for District 2, representing Rogers, Mayes and Wagoner counties.

 

Text Only
Our View
  • Randy Cowling Courthouse security applies to everyone there

    District Judge Dynda Post has elevated a serious issue at the Rogers County courthouse — security.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • Randy Cowling First looks are just that — first looks

    No one ever gets to make a second first impression.

    February 6, 2012 1 Photo

  • Burrage, sean.tiff Senate review by Sean Burrage

    Hailey Mathis is studying political science and history at the University of Oklahoma. She’s one of a very select group of college students each year who have the opportunity to learn about government and public service through an internship at the State Senate.  

    April 4, 2011 1 Photo

  • BAILEYDABNEY8-2009.tif COLUMN: Napalming the Internet

    Try to remember the Internet before we had websites that host user generated content. No eBay. No YouTube. No Facebook. No Twitter. No LinkedIn. No Foursquare. No product reviews, blogs or personal websites where users comment and post links.

    January 18, 2012 1 Photo

  • SimpsonGameCartoon-012712.jpg Dr. Mosier’s online success

    Dr. Richard Mosier is nothing if not a visionary.  Over 20 years ago he first had the idea of what was then Rogers State College becoming Oklahoma’s first institution of higher education to offer online instruction.

    January 18, 2012 1 Photo

  • New Year

    Looking back on 2011 brings many things to mind.  It was a busy year traveling the state, actively promoting Oklahoma as a competitive state and supporting strong public policy.

    January 18, 2012

  • BAILEYDABNEY8-2009.tif The Veepstakes and unseating an incumbent President

    The Iowa Caucuses are over. Let the Veepstakes begin.

    January 5, 2012 1 Photo

  • Randy Cowling Will Rogers resourcefulness hard to do but necessary

    Finding a resolution to a long-term problem is never easy.  It requires change and adjustment.

    December 18, 2011 1 Photo

  • BAILEYDABNEY8-2009.tif What’s all the GRDA fuss about?

    At the request of Governor Mary Fallin, State Auditor Gary Jones issued a performance audit on December 8 for the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA),  covering a time period from July 1, 2003 through March 31, 2011.

    December 11, 2011 1 Photo

  • GRDA audit appears to be politically motivated

    When I learned a state audit of the Grand River Dam Authority had been earlier this year, I feared the request was made purely for political reasons.

    December 11, 2011