09/01/2005
CONTACT: Steve Wilkerson, (405) 521-8967 or Nancy St. Pierre, (214) 614-3008
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- The National Federation of Independent Business/Oklahoma on Thursday joined state Senate leadership in their call to add the possible suspension of state fuel taxes to the current special session agenda.
"We fully support the Senate leadership in their call to suspend fuel taxes through the end of the year and offer any assistance we can to the legislature and governor to help make this important positive difference for our economy and our citizens," said Steve Wilkerson, NFIB/Oklahoma state director.
Wilkerson said the state legislature is in an ideal situation to offer relief not only to its citizens but small-business owners, who have a direct impact on the state's economy.
Small businesses comprise 97 percent of the state's overall business community – serving as the backbone of Oklahoma's economy.
"Not only are Oklahoma citizens being hit hard by soaring gas prices but our economy is beginning to suffer as well," Wilkerson said. "Many businesses, especially small businesses, cannot continue to experience losses and overwhelming, sudden increases in their operating expenses because of the gasoline crisis."
NFIB member Bill Long, who owns B & B Medical Services in Oklahoma City, said his fuel costs have doubled in some cases. Fuel costs are a critical expense for his business, which delivers medical supplies to Veterans Administration facilities in five states including, Oklahoma.
"Small businesses in Oklahoma need all the help we can get to survive and keep our employees and their benefits in tact and in this state," Long said. "This is one of the critical issues for small-business owners that is out of our control. We need help from the legislature to ensure our strength and viability in the future."
Long said he has already cut salaries of some of his employees and is giving serious consideration to cutting health insurance benefits to make up for the increasing fuel costs. These cost-cutting efforts are being considered, he said, to keep his employees on board and his business afloat.
