Oklahoma Senate passes grocery tax cut bill, which now heads to governor's desk
The Senate voted 42-2 in favor of the House Bill 1955
The Senate voted 42-2 in favor of the House Bill 1955
The Senate voted 42-2 in favor of the House Bill 1955
The state Senate on Thursday passed a grocery tax cut bill that will provide Oklahomans relief at the supermarket.
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The Senate voted 42-2 in favor of the House Bill 1955, which passed the Oklahoma House during the 2023 session and will head to Gov. Kevin Stitt's desk for his signature.
Prior to its passage, Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat said the bill would save Oklahomans up to $400 per year. He called it a "common sense" bill and said it would help everyone.
Treat added that, according to estimates, eliminating the grocery tax would save Oklahomans an average of five and a half times more money than a 0.25% tax cut.
“I think the relief would come late August, which is a quicker relief and a more substantial relief than any other proposal that’s been put forth in this body," Treat said on Thursday.
House Speaker Charles McCall issued a statement saying the bill's passage marks a historic day in Oklahoma.
"With the passage of House Bill 1955, the Legislature has managed to give Oklahomans the largest single-year tax cut in state history, returning $411 million to our citizens at a time when they need it the most," McCall, R-Atoka, said in the statement. "I would like to give a tremendous amount of credit to my colleagues in the House who have fought through both regular and special sessions over the past three years to cut taxes and provide relief to the citizens of Oklahoma. Their persistence and willingness to come in on weekends, holidays and during the interim to do the work of the people has led to a policy that will help all Oklahomans."
But not everyone was on board. State Sen. Roger Thompson argued against the bill, saying it prevents cities and counties from bringing sales tax increased to a vote to address infrastructure needs until at least June 2025.
"It is a political move by many individuals. I’ve made the statement that it looks better on a bumper sticker and a campaign card then it does in the state budget," Thomspon said. "Because of our history and because of the needs of this state, and because there is a preemptive clause in this that even prohibits my towns, who are struggling, that they cannot pass a sales tax for a year."
Treat said he believes the bill is the relief lawmakers owe Oklahomans now.
“Some choose to look at this annual impact of $418 million as revenue loss, and that’s fine. We need to make sure we’re good stewards of taxpayer dollars, but I ask you to look at it as a $418 million increase in what Oklahomans keep in their pocket to be able to provide groceries for their families," Treat said.
If Stitt signs the bill, it will go into effect in August.
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