1911user
Veteran Member
As I read this, it would only cut the state part of tax on food (4.5%). Local and county sales/food taxes would still apply.
Senate vote passes Oklahoma grocery tax cut bill, state leaders react
by Sydney Brooks
February 22nd 2024 at 3:00 PM
Grocery tax cut bill heads to the Governor's desk for approval
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The long-awaited grocery tax cut bill passed a vote on the Senate floor Thursday morning making it one step closer to a reality for Oklahomans.
According to a statement from Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, the House Bill 1955 it was passed with a vote of 42-2.
The House passed the bill 11 months ago and has been awaiting a vote in the Senate along with an income tax cut.
SEE ALSO: Senate to vote on grocery tax cut, potentially saving Oklahomans $400 annually
"This is a truly historic day. 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 said, "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."
McCall also thanked Governor Stitt and colleagues in the Senate for their support of the bill that will bring much-needed tax relief for Oklahomans.
"I would also like to thank President Pro Temp Greg Treat and our colleagues in the Senate for finally voting this legislation through to the governor's desk. The delay in the vote cost Oklahomans an estimated additional $374 million in taxes, and the lack of an emergency to immediately put the cuts in place will cost our citizens another $200M, but Senate leadership did their best to at least secure passage. The House has sent several tax cuts to the Senate over the last three years only to have them stall and not be heard. Thankfully this legislation has finally passed after 332 days of waiting. Oklahomans are currently facing some of the worst inflation of the last three decades, and the Senate's vote today means that help is finally on the way."
According to state leaders, this bill is the first step of many to help Oklahomas through record inflation not seen in almost 30 years.
Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, also released a statement Thursday morning.
“I am pleased the Oklahoma State Senate has finally taken action on what we already know will help so many Oklahoma families. For the past several legislative sessions, including special sessions, the House Democratic Caucus has filed legislation to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries to provide immediate tax relief for working Oklahomans each time they go to the grocery store. It has always been our priority – and will remain a priority – for us to protect our revenue base while also advocating for policies that will lower costs for Oklahoma families who need it the most. By eliminating the state sales tax on groceries, we are accomplishing a goal House Democrats have been working on and supported for many years.”
The bill is headed to the governor's desk, where Stitt previously said he would sign any tax cut bill that comes to his desk.
If the bill becomes law, it would eliminate the 4.5% state sales tax on retail sale food and food ingredients.
City and Counties cannot start new sales tax on food until June 30, 2025.
Governor Kevin Stitt released a statement on Thursday in celebration of House Bill 1955 passing through the legislature:
Today, we get to fulfill a promise to all four million Oklahomans and pass the largest single year tax cut in Oklahoma history. Cutting the grocery tax means relief for all Oklahomans. I’ve called for tax cuts since 2019 and in 2022 I called a special session specifically to cut the grocery tax. I want to thank Speaker McCall and the House for tirelessly fighting for tax cuts, and to Pro Tem Treat and the Senate for sending this to my desk. I’m going to always fight for limited government and lower taxes, and I will still advocate to get us on path to zero income tax. This is a victory I’m excited to celebrate.
Senate vote passes Oklahoma grocery tax cut bill, state leaders react
The long-awaited Oklahoma grocery tax cut bill has passed a Senate vote Thursday morning making it one step closer to a reality for Oklahomans.
okcfox.com
Senate vote passes Oklahoma grocery tax cut bill, state leaders react
by Sydney Brooks
February 22nd 2024 at 3:00 PM
Grocery tax cut bill heads to the Governor's desk for approval
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The long-awaited grocery tax cut bill passed a vote on the Senate floor Thursday morning making it one step closer to a reality for Oklahomans.
According to a statement from Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, the House Bill 1955 it was passed with a vote of 42-2.
The House passed the bill 11 months ago and has been awaiting a vote in the Senate along with an income tax cut.
SEE ALSO: Senate to vote on grocery tax cut, potentially saving Oklahomans $400 annually
"This is a truly historic day. 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 said, "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."
McCall also thanked Governor Stitt and colleagues in the Senate for their support of the bill that will bring much-needed tax relief for Oklahomans.
"I would also like to thank President Pro Temp Greg Treat and our colleagues in the Senate for finally voting this legislation through to the governor's desk. The delay in the vote cost Oklahomans an estimated additional $374 million in taxes, and the lack of an emergency to immediately put the cuts in place will cost our citizens another $200M, but Senate leadership did their best to at least secure passage. The House has sent several tax cuts to the Senate over the last three years only to have them stall and not be heard. Thankfully this legislation has finally passed after 332 days of waiting. Oklahomans are currently facing some of the worst inflation of the last three decades, and the Senate's vote today means that help is finally on the way."
According to state leaders, this bill is the first step of many to help Oklahomas through record inflation not seen in almost 30 years.
Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, also released a statement Thursday morning.
“I am pleased the Oklahoma State Senate has finally taken action on what we already know will help so many Oklahoma families. For the past several legislative sessions, including special sessions, the House Democratic Caucus has filed legislation to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries to provide immediate tax relief for working Oklahomans each time they go to the grocery store. It has always been our priority – and will remain a priority – for us to protect our revenue base while also advocating for policies that will lower costs for Oklahoma families who need it the most. By eliminating the state sales tax on groceries, we are accomplishing a goal House Democrats have been working on and supported for many years.”
The bill is headed to the governor's desk, where Stitt previously said he would sign any tax cut bill that comes to his desk.
If the bill becomes law, it would eliminate the 4.5% state sales tax on retail sale food and food ingredients.
City and Counties cannot start new sales tax on food until June 30, 2025.
Governor Kevin Stitt released a statement on Thursday in celebration of House Bill 1955 passing through the legislature:
Today, we get to fulfill a promise to all four million Oklahomans and pass the largest single year tax cut in Oklahoma history. Cutting the grocery tax means relief for all Oklahomans. I’ve called for tax cuts since 2019 and in 2022 I called a special session specifically to cut the grocery tax. I want to thank Speaker McCall and the House for tirelessly fighting for tax cuts, and to Pro Tem Treat and the Senate for sending this to my desk. I’m going to always fight for limited government and lower taxes, and I will still advocate to get us on path to zero income tax. This is a victory I’m excited to celebrate.
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