How Dewey Bartlett Balanced Tulsa's Budget without Raising Taxes

When Mayor Dewey Bartlett took office on December 7, 2009, Tulsa, Oklahoma was in its worst budget crisis since the Great Depression.

"We would have probably had to file for bankruptcy," Bartlett tells Reason TV. "It certainly got us focused on how to run a government better."

With a $10 million budget shortfall and employee compensation spiraling out of control, thinkng about layoffs was just the beginning. Bartlett schooled himself about the budget and decided to focus "on things a government really should do and also make a decision on what a government really doesn't need to do." He reformed pay for police and firemen, sold unused vehicles and property, and privatized some city services, including the city's zoo.

"Many times, decisions are made to cut everybody's budget, and not specific portions of the budget that really aren't necessary," he says.

Reason TV talked with Bartlett in his office to talk about how to balance a city's budget without raising taxes.

About 6 minutes. Interview by Len Gilroy and Sharif Matar, who filmed, edited, and produced the video.

Visit http://www.reason.com/reasontv for downloadable versions and subscribe to Reason TV's YouTube channel to receive automatic notifications when new material goes live.

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  News & Politics

[redsox1006]

I love to see my ideal libertarian society, but if all governments could just do what this guy did, things would be so much better.

[NonAggressionState]

Excellent. A few in Gov't actually get it; such a rare thing. I commend you Mayor Dewey Bartlett.

[ymkamara420]

btw if you want to make real money in real estate, Stop messing with them country bumpkins and come move to Nova. The housing market is booming here baby

[ymkamara420]

No that would actually be my neck of the woods, Northern Virginia Thank you very much ;)

[Nick Probst]

You didn't mention #1 city for entrepreneurs, Lowest unemployment, fastest growing young professionals.

[Nick Probst]

My real estate signs appear twice.  :)

[addspanky]

He Is a semi competent mayor.He got us out of a hole and now the mayor who put us their wants to be reelected. He has set a hiring freeze for the city and over funded the police and fire department in the latest budget so badly any one who works for the city in any other capacity than fire or police took a pay cut forced retirements cut hours. We are still in trouble but at lest he isn't taking any kickbacks.... that we know of unlike mayors in the past. As far as him getting it? No he doesn't.

[drattler1946]

Politics is what makes govt grow out of control, This man managed to stay in office long enough to do good,bully for him !!