Oklahoma Senate Passes Bill to Lower Broadband Taxes

Measure faces criticism from some lawmakers over redistribution of taxpayer funds

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Oklahoma Senate has approved a bill that would lower ad valorem taxes for broadband service companies in the state, from 23% to 15%. The bill, authored by Tulsa Senator Dave Rader, is intended to help these companies continue doing business in Oklahoma and provide better internet access for residents. However, the bill faced criticism from some senators who argued it amounts to "socialism" where the government redistributes taxpayer money to favored industries.

Why it matters

The debate over the bill highlights the ongoing tensions between supporting the expansion of broadband infrastructure and concerns about the use of taxpayer funds to benefit private companies. Proponents argue it will improve internet access, while critics view it as an improper government subsidy.

The details

SB1122, authored by Tulsa Senator Dave Rader, would lower the ad valorem tax assessment ratio for broadband service providers from around 22.85% to 15%. According to the State Tax Commission, this would result in an estimated $20 million reduction in local property tax collections. Rader said the bill would "help these companies continue to do business in Oklahoma" and "be beneficial to all the taxpayers." However, Shawnee Senator Shane Jett argued the bill amounts to "socialism" where the government redistributes taxpayer money to favored industries. Norman Senator Mary Boren also questioned whether the bill would primarily benefit a single broadband company.

  • The Oklahoma Senate passed the bill on a 28-19 vote on March 5, 2026.
  • The bill had earlier been approved unanimously, 7-0, in the Senate Technology & Telecommunications Committee.

The players

Dave Rader

Tulsa Senator and author of SB1122, the bill to lower broadband taxes.

Shane Jett

Shawnee Senator who criticized the bill as "socialism" where the government redistributes taxpayer money.

Mary Boren

Norman Senator who questioned whether the bill would primarily benefit a single broadband company.

Trey Caldwell

The House author of the broadband tax bill.

Julie McIntosh

Senator who argued the bill would result in a significant loss of tax revenue for counties.

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What they’re saying

“This is effectively socialism where government takes taxpayer money and redistributes it to industries that they have decided is favorable.”

— Shane Jett, Shawnee Senator (okenergytoday.com)

“It's going to help these companies continue to do business in Oklahoma. And that's what the bill is doing should be beneficial to the people of Oklahoma should be beneficial to all the taxpayers of this effect because everybody's need better and clearer Internet because that's the way we operate now.”

— Dave Rader, Tulsa Senator (okenergytoday.com)

“This is another boondoggle like wind turbines where businesses are making decisions to align their investment based on the maximum number of taxpayer dollars that they can extract from the federal government and from a generous state legislature like this.”

— Shane Jett, Shawnee Senator (okenergytoday.com)

“This now covers a significantly larger portion of this industry that will have their taxes reduced and will come at a loss to our counties.”

— Julie McIntosh, Senator (okenergytoday.com)

What’s next

The bill will now move to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where Rep. Trey Caldwell is the House author.

The takeaway

The debate over this broadband tax bill highlights the ongoing tensions between supporting infrastructure expansion and concerns about the use of taxpayer funds to benefit private companies. As the legislation moves forward, lawmakers will need to carefully weigh the potential benefits to consumers against the costs to local governments.