How to Raise Taxes in a Red State

Joe Wertz Bio Recent Stories Joe Wertz was a reporter and managing editor for StateImpact Oklahoma from 2011-2019. He reported on energy and environment issues for national NPR audiences and other national outlets. He previously worked as a managing editor, assistant editor and staff reporter at several major Oklahoma newspapers and studied journalism at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Joe Wertz / StateImpact Oklahoma

On Nov. 6, Tulsa County voters will go to the polls and decide whether they should extend a sales tax increase.

The Vision2 measure is inspired by the success its inner-state rival, Oklahoma City, has had with MAPS, a series of tax increases that paid for public works projects, school improvements and arena upgrades to lure an NBA team away from Seattle.

Some of the supporters are business leaders and Republican policymakers, who usually want lower taxes at the state level. So why is taxing and spending working at the local level?