Two major oil and gas groups obviously don’t like talk at the capitol of increasing the gross production tax and their letter to Governor Mary Fallin in recent days prompted a scolding from her chief of staff.
As the Oklahoman and Non-DOC, a political news website reported, the Oklahoma Oil and Gas Association and the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association sent a letter to Gov. Fallin urging her to oppose any increase in the gross production tax.
“We adamantly oppose a fourth round of tax increases on the oil and natural gas industry,” wrote Chad Warmington of the OKOGA and Tim Wigley of the OIPA. “The constant threat and chatter of such action is putting at risk industry investment in Oklahoma going into 2018.”
But their letter prompted a scolding response from Chris Benge, the governor’s Chief of State who didn’t like the oil and gas groups tying the governor’s support of such a tax increase to Democrats. They had called it the “Fallin-Inman” tax play, a reference to House Minority Leader Scott inman.
“Engaging in the negative, as you have done by tying Governor Fallin with Scott Inman, is not constructive. We take your letter seriously, but it is disappointing that you all are engaging in demagoguery by calling it the Fallin-Inman plan. that is highly offense,” wrote Benge.