Oklahoma tribes are preparing to go head-to-head with Gov. Kevin Stitt about the revenue share paid by the tribe to the state. The chief of Seminole tribe Greg Chilcoat suggests that the tribes have been contributing their fair share to the state but Stitt believes that they should be taxed more heavily.

Tribes launch their campaign

The tribal operators in Oklahoma have launched a new campaign against the state to help boost their reputation and highlight their contribution to the state. The large-scale campaign comes after a dispute with Gov. Stitt who thinks that tribes should pay more tax. It appears that the case would be settled in court. However, the tribal operators don’t want to leave any stones unturned to talk to the members of the public at large and share their point of view.

The tribes are talking about their broad range of investments and their contribution to bettering the healthcare and economy of Oklahoma. Another important point would be the steady employment provided by their operations.

What do the tribes suggest?

According to Greg Chilcoat, Gov. Stitt isn’t focusing on the rate of taxation on the tribes. Instead, he is focusing on how one revenue stream can be divided further. The Seminole chief didn’t specify suggest that the tribes are considering better direct funding for sustainable growth in the state. Bill Anoatubby, the Governor of Chickasaw Nation talked to the federal agency and said that efforts to interfere with their operations will bring “intolerable risk” to the citizens of the tribe.

Some suggest that the tribes function like clout and they need to be reined in to suggest that the state can still exercise powers over them, especially those related to taxes. The tribes suggest that their economic impact on the state is to the tune of $15 billion. They have already paid close to $150 million in licensing fees to the state as the rate has doubled since 2009. Currently, the operators pay anywhere between 4% to 10% of the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) to the state.

Chilcoat commented,

“It’s just taking money from (a form of) local government and giving it to the state to send out to wherever. I’m not saying we’d do better than the state, but when I can walk out my front door and see my neighbor that needs help, that’s who you’re going to help.”

The state’s tribal coalition, United for Oklahoma, is preparing numerous marketing materials for their campaign. They will run it on social media, TV and other media channels.