Governor Signs HB 1012XX - Proposed $5 State Lodging Tax Defeated

Concerns and efforts of the lodging and tourism industries were heard as a proposed $5 state lodging tax was defeated in the House, Senate, and signed by Governor Mary Fallin today.  

The Oklahoma Hotel and Lodging Association and Oklahoma Travel Industry Association applaud the House and Senate for approving House Bill 1012XX which repealed a proposed $5 per night lodging tax which was signed by Governor Mary Fallin.

"We applaud our legislators for listening to their hotel and tourism constituents about the effects this tax would have had on convention business in every part of our state. OH&LA and OTIA members were able to tell the story of how this proposed tax would be used in negative ways by our market competitors who are constantly attempting to recruit large convention activities away from Oklahoma to other states," said Bryan Davis, Chairman of the Oklahoma Hotel and Lodging Association.

OH&LA and OTIA led an effort of various travel and tourism professionals from across Oklahoma to bring the message to the legislature that hoteliers support long-overdue raises for teachers and state employees but taxing Oklahoma's growing hospitality and tourism business is not the answer and could eventually lead to less tax revenue because of lodging business lost to surrounding states.

"We can't say enough about our members' efforts to help convey what the negative impact on Oklahoma's tourism industry would have been if the tax had been included in the budget," said Jim Hopper, CEO of the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association.

OH&LA and OTIA want to thank the following organizations and their members for support in defeating the lodging tax: the American Hotel & Lodging Association; Asian American Hotel Owners Association; OKC Convention & Visitors Bureau; Visit Tulsa; Oklahoma City Hotel Association; Metro Tulsa Hotel & Lodging Association; and numerous other lodging and tourism organizations.