There was, however, agreement that the state’s earned income tax credit for low-wage workers needs to be re-examined if not eliminated altogether, and the committee unanimously advanced a new sales tax exemption for a Tulsa nonprofit that works with veterans.

Failing was Senate Bill 1006, which on Jan. 1, 2017, would end the ability of some business concerns to claim both the Quality Jobs Act rebate and a capital investment credit. The double-dip provision was enacted in 2010 to help Tulsa refiner Holly Frontier get through the recession, and has been used by a few high-capital companies since, but Mazzei, R-Tulsa, said it is no longer necessary.

His committee disagreed, and the measure failed 5-8.

The measure with the most immediate impact, SB 883 by Mazzei and committee Co-Chairman Marty Quinn, R-Claremore, would reduce the renewable energy credit utilized almost entirely by the wind generation industry. Quinn said the cut, effective next Jan. 1, would save the state $5.8 million in FY 2017 and $11.64 million in FY 2018.

State Sen. Kim David said she feared the bill contradicts an unwritten agreement with the wind industry reached when subsidies were reduced, but Quinn said everything has to be reconsidered this year.

“Rest assured,” Quinn said, “there are more bills like this coming. ... I support the wind industry — to a degree. I do not support it to the extent that it is detrimental to mental health, to Human Services, to schools.”

Randy Krehbiel 918-581-8365 randy.krehbiel@tulsaworld.com

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