Oklahoma treasurer says fiscal cliff may harm state’s economy

State/Nation

December 4, 2012

Oklahoma treasurer says fiscal cliff may harm state’s economy

Staff Reports Associated Press Tue Dec 04, 2012, 04:15 PM CST

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s treasurer says the fiscal cliff’s combination of tax hikes and reduced government spending could harm the state’s economy.

Congressional negotiators are working with President Barack Obama to avoid steep tax hikes and spending cuts set to go into effect at the beginning of 2013. And Treasurer Ken Miller said Tuesday failure to avoid the fiscal cliff would mean a tax increase for Oklahomans and likely spending cuts at military bases and other government facilities in the state.

Miller says leaders in Washington need to start working together to avoid damage to the state’s fragile economy.

Meanwhile, Miller says state revenue collections dipped slightly in November primarily because of reduced gross production payments on oil and natural gas. But he says consumer confidence remains high and sales tax receipts rose.

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