Budget Briefing: Support for Internet Sales Tax Growing Among Republican Governors, Fallin Still Undecided

Fallin Undecided on Internet Sales Tax – “The measure, called the Marketplace Equity Act, pending in the U.S. House, appears to be gaining support among some Republican governors. It would let states require that online retailers collect sales taxes and remit them.” Tulsa World

Governor Says Youth Expo Can Keep its Funding – “Gov. Mary Fallin has rejected a state senator’s call to block a $2 million transfer of state Agriculture Department funding to the Oklahoma Youth Expo, a private livestock show in Oklahoma City. The state budget increased the Agriculture Department’s budget by $2 million, and state officials have confirmed that the money is intended for the youth expo, the largest junior livestock show in the world.” Tulsa World

Families, Businesses See Rebate Due to Health Law – “Thousands of Oklahoma families and businesses are receiving rebate checks averaging $126 per family from their health insurance companies because of the Affordable Care Act. Rebates in the state total a little less than $20.3 million, representing 263,404 consumers, according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data.” Tulsa World

AMR Has 2Q Loss of $241M on Bankruptcy Costs – American Airlines, which employs about 7,000 workers in the Tulsa area, “is reaping higher fares and record revenue but still losing money. AMR Corp. said Wednesday that it narrowed its second-quarter loss to $241 million mostly because of $230 million in costs tied to its bankruptcy restructuring. A year ago, it lost $286 million.” Associated Press