The year 1984 was described by many veterans of the legislature as one of the toughest years. The legislature was torn by changes in leadership, a shortfall in growth of revenue to the general fund and tax increases to consider.
Agriculture had much at stake. Included were a potential loss of sales tax exemptions, an increase in the cost of farm tags, the possibility of requiring tags for all trailers, a motor fuel tax increase and a general tax increase of some kind.
When the dust settled, Oklahoma farmers and ranchers were left with a temporary increase in sales tax of one cent and an increase in motor fuel taxes of 2.42 cents per gallon. In addition to the tax increase, there were numerous fees increased. Rural Oklahoma did better than ever on the distribution of the increase with 35 percent of the increase going to rural roads. Oklahoma Farm Bureau helped with these decisions to make sure Oklahoma farmers and ranchers were protected.