Stitt calls on lawmakers to convene for special session to reduce personal income tax
It is another attempt to cut taxes.
It is another attempt to cut taxes.
It is another attempt to cut taxes.
Gov. Kevin Stitt called on lawmakers to convene again for a special session before they meet in February.
It is another attempt to cut taxes. There will now have been two separate special sessions on tax cuts within the past four months.
Stitt wants lawmakers to be back at the Capitol on Jan. 29, a week before the regular session kicks off.
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"It would be great to get tax relief for Oklahomans before we go into regular session," Stitt said.
It was just one month after the October special session on tax cuts when Stitt floated the idea of calling lawmakers back.
"Right now, we have the largest savings account, a budget surplus. Let's give that back to the taxpayers. Let's not just keep raising government spending," Stitt said.
Stitt's newly filed executive order states that Oklahoma "should seize the opportunity to allow taxpayers to keep more of their hard-earned money." He wants lawmakers to return to the Capitol on Jan. 29 to vote on a bill that would cut individual income tax rates by 0.25%.
House Speaker Charles McCall said his body is ready to pass "meaningful tax relief for the hardworking people in Oklahoma."
"House Republicans will do their constitutional duty and answer the governor’s call to special session. We will be ready to pass meaningful tax relief legislation for the hardworking people of Oklahoma as we previously have in multiple special and regular sessions," McCall said.
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Democratic House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson called the move from Stitt a political stunt and not a genuine attempt to help Oklahomans.
"The Governor’s call for a Special Session to cut income taxes is just his latest political stunt, and it is not a genuine attempt to lower costs for Oklahoma families. We have not even completed our agency budget hearings to gain a comprehensive understanding of our state's fiscal picture, including the potential loss of federal dollars post-COVID," Munson said.
Sen. President Pro Tem Greg Treat, who has had issues with previous special sessions, called the latest one a waste of taxpayer money.
"It is unfortunate the governor has chosen this route. The Senate will adhere to the call of the special session, as we have always done to respect and uphold our constitutional duty. However, I do not know what will be different between the last week in January and the last time he pulled this stunt in October," Treat said.
While tax cuts could also be passed during the regular session, it could take several months at the minimum to pass a bill. Stitt has stressed he wants relief now and a special session lasts days, not months.
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