Oklahoma City's Boathouse District is the cornerstone of a revitalized urban core, much of which was built on public works infrastructure paid for by successive tax increases.

Joe Wertz / StateImpact Oklahoma

How to Raise Taxes in a Red State

  • Joe Wertz

Joe Wertz / StateImpact Oklahoma

Oklahoma City's Boathouse District is the cornerstone of a revitalized urban core, much of which was built on public works infrastructure paid for by successive tax increases.

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?