GRADY COUNTY —
A local state representative is unhappy with the way Washington politicians handled the looming fiscal cliff.
"They almost seemed childish with the way they were acting," State Representative Joe Dorman said. "They were very open about their disgust with one another and that's not the way to run an efficient government."
After a tenuous month of debate and a last minute decision, federal congress reached a decision that averted the fiscal cliff, but effectively raises taxes on all Americans. The agreement, which only addresses some of the issues associated with the end of Bush era tax cuts will raise social security taxes on all Americans and will increase the tax rate on individuals making over $400,000 a year and couples earning more than $450,000 a year. In addition those in the top income tax bracket who did pay a 35 percent income tax will now pay a rate of 39.5 percent.
"I am worried about the impact this will have on all Americans," Dorman said.
Less spending will be the key for local citizens to avoid any sort of financial constraints according to Dorman.
"The last thing people need to do right now is increase their debt," he said. "Hopefully people can through their budgets and cut out things that are not necessities."
Dorman said he expects to see the same sort of cuts at the state level.
"We are going to have to be very thrifty about the way we spend money this year," he said.
District Four Federal Congressman Tom Cole had a different opinion regarding the fiscal cliff negations.
"I think most tax payers in Grady County go a good deal," he said. "The Bush era tax cuts where never supposed to be permanent and now they are."
Cole said the deacons made by congress will do wonders to help small business owners, ranchers and farmers.
"We were worried about those industries being destroyed and now we are past that," he said.
As for an increase in social security tax, Cole said that was inevitable.
"We have had two years of reduction in that area and the only to continue with the current amount of money being dolled out in social security would be a tax increase," he said.
Despite his hope for future bipartisan decisions, Dorman said he expects these problems to continue.
"Until they can sit down and compromise with one another we are going to see these issues continue," he said. "This is not good for America or the world since our economies are now so tied together."
Cole said the current legislation isn't perfect, but it is passable for the moment.
"Nobody likes doing this, but we have to get this spending under control," he said.
Homepage
Fiscal cliff agreement affects local residents
- Top News
-
-
Church groups unite to help victims
Cody Stephenson drops off a box of children’s clothing at the Southern Oaks Church, alongside his three-year-old daughter Hablie Stephenson. His daughter gave away several toys as well.
Chickasha is all too familiar with the after effects of violent storms as the city sustained an EF-4 just two years ago. The recent tragedy that the city of Moore has undergone with an identical twister has brought back memories for much of the Grady County community, and served as an incentive to begin relief efforts.
Continued ... - Dorman pushes for storm shelter bond
- VIDEO: Storms move into Grady County
-
- Local News
-
-
Dorman pushes for storm shelter bond
Local State Representative Joe Dorman (D) called on legislatures yesterday to pass a bond issue to combat what he called " a lack of adequate storm shelters" in Oklahoma.
Continued ... - VIDEO: Storms move into Grady County
- Chickasha's finest lend a hand to Moore tornado victims
-
Dorman pushes for storm shelter bond
- Sports
- Opinion
- Around the Area
- SCOOP
-
-
Plans to export US natural gas stir debate
A domestic natural gas boom already has lowered U.S. energy prices while stoking fears of environmental disaster. Now U.S. producers are poised to ship vast quantities of gas overseas as energy companies seek permits for proposed export projects that could set off a renewed frenzy of fracking.
Continued ... - Fracking criticism not true, expert says
-
Plans to export US natural gas stir debate
