Early Voting times adjusted this week due to Independence Day holiday

I have been swamped lately, but for readers in the City of Muskogee, we have a sales tax election coming up on Tuesday. I hope to get a post out on the particulars of the municipal proposition, but if you're one of those who votes through in-person Early Voting, those times have been moved to Wednesday and Thursday due to the Independence Day holiday:

Early Voting Begins Tomorrow!

Oklahoma City (July 1st) - Early voting begins tomorrow for some voters in Creek, Muskogee, Osage, and Seminole County. Due to early voting for the July 8 Election coinciding with the July 4th holiday, the Secretary of the State Election Board - as authorized by 26 O.S. § 1-106 -  has moved early voting for the July 8 Election to Wednesday, July 2 and Thursday, July 3 (8 a.m. - 6 p.m.) . A list of early voting locations, dates, and times is available on the State Election Board website.

Sen. Sacchieri files bill requiring clear 'tax increase' label on ballot measures

Sen. Kendal Sacchieri Introduces Legislation Requiring Clear Label on Ballot Measures Leading to Tax Increases

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 27th) – Sen. Kendal Sacchieri, R-Blanchard, recently filed a measure to require any proposal put before voters to explicitly state that it will result in increased taxes. Under the provisions of Senate Bill 1116, all state questions, school bonds, sales tax proposals, or any other proposals that would raise or extend tax rates must include a disclaimer stating, “THIS IS A TAX INCREASE”.

State Sen. Thompson files bill to include school supplies, athletic gear in tax-free weekend

Thompson files bill to include school supplies, athletic gear in tax-free weekend

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, filed legislation on Monday to include school supplies and athletic equipment among the items exempted from sales taxes during Oklahoma’s tax-free weekend in August.

Senate Bill 231 would exempt common school supplies — such as backpacks, binders, pens, pencils, markers and notebooks — from state and local sales taxes during the state’s annual sales tax holiday, the first weekend in August. Recreational equipment, including cleats, gloves, mouthguards, shoulder pads and goggles, would also be tax-exempt under this bill.

The Taxpayers Guide to Tax at the Grocery Store

As the state grocery sales tax is phased out today, here's a helpful video from the Oklahoma Tax Commission: The Taxpayers Guide to Tax at the Grocery Store.

Additional information from the Tax Commission with FAQs for consumers and vendors can be viewed here.

Pro Tem Treat: Grocery tax cut this week "will provide immediate relief" from inflation, higher cost of living

Senate Pro Tem Treat Comments on Oklahoma Grocery Tax Cut Taking Effect Thursday

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, today announced the long-awaited reduction in Oklahoma's grocery tax will take effect Thursday. 

The tax cut, which was approved during this year's legislative session, marks a significant step toward easing the financial burden on Oklahoma families. It also represents the largest tax cut in state history. 

Sen. Deevers celebrates impending grocery tax cut, continues call for income tax cut

Deevers Applauds Impending Grocery Tax Cut, Calls for Legislature to Do More

OKLAHOMA CITY (August 19th) — With the State grocery tax set to be eliminated on August 29, Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, celebrated the additional money going back into the hands of the people of Oklahoma.

“On the campaign trail, I promised Southwest Oklahomans I would work to get the government off our backs and out of our pocketbooks. Though I had hoped for even greater tax cuts and filed legislation to do so, I am very pleased that we were able to at least get rid of the 4.5 percent state grocery tax, which is set to be eliminated for all Oklahomans beginning on August 29. In addition to eliminating the State sales tax, the new law also prohibits cities and counties from raising local grocery tax rates until July 1, 2025. According to recent data, the new law will save the average family of four in Oklahoma roughly 60 dollars per month.”

Muskogee City Council backtracks, postpones $78M bond issue, sales tax renewal

Back in May, the Muskogee City Council voted to set an August 27th election for a $78.6M general obligation bond and sales tax proposal. It had a rushed feeling to it, and there's been quite a bit of local controversy over it. Earlier this week, the council held a special meeting and voted to postpone to vote for further community input.

Good.

City Council Votes to Postpone GO Bond Election

MUSKOGEE, OKLA., July 15, 2024 - In a Special Call City Council meeting held on Monday, July 15, the Muskogee City Council voted to postpone the upcoming General Obligation Bond Election.

“Almost everyone I’ve talked to is in favor of investing in Muskogee and likes the projects put forward, but I feel like we could use a few more months to consider the issues,” said Mayor Patrick Cale. 

Muskogee City Council sets August vote on $78M bond issue, sales tax renewal

County Assessor Ron Dean during public comment at the Muskogee City Council meeting Monday

Brace for impact, Muskogee: our city council has set an election for a bond and sales tax proposal totaling over $78,000,000 on August 27th.

I dropped in for my first city council meeting in years yesterday when I heard that a special meeting had been called to vote on sending the mega-million dollar package to the ballot. You can view the agenda here; scroll down to items 14, 15, 16, and 17.

AFP-OK applauds grocery sales tax cut, calls for income tax relief next

Americans for Prosperity - Oklahoma Praises Grocery Tax Cut, Calls for Income Tax Relief Next

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (Feb. 27th) - Today, Americans for Prosperity - Oklahoma (AFP-OK) celebrates the elimination of Oklahoma's state grocery tax - a landmark achievement that will ease the burden on families across the state struggling to make ends meet under the record high inflation caused by the Biden administration. 

While the grocery tax cut will help residents all across the state, AFP-OK urges lawmakers to take up reforms that will work to grow the whole state's economy. With a governor who has said he will sign any tax cut that crosses his desk and a large majority of Oklahomans in support of eliminating the income tax altogether, there's no reason for the legislature to stop here. 

Nothing as permanent as a temporary tax: Wagoner County voting Tuesday on EIGHT tax proposals

Wagoner County residents are preparing to vote on EIGHT sales tax propositions, including three that change "temporary" sales tax campaigns into permanent ones. If all eight questions pass, the sales tax in some Wagoner County communities will exceed 10%.

As I said over on Twitter: "Few things are quite so permanent as a temporary tax."

Small: income-tax cuts provide greatest benefit

Income-tax cuts provide greatest benefit

By Jonathan Small

Does the greatest benefit come from cutting the state’s penalty on work, the personal income tax, or from exempting groceries from the state sales tax? That question is on the minds of Oklahoma policymakers.

But the answer is straightforward. While exempting groceries from the state sales tax may provide some financial benefit to individuals, it does not make people more likely to invest in Oklahoma, create new jobs or raise wages.

Legislature ends state grocery sales tax: groceries to get slightly cheaper (at least temporarily)

The Oklahoma State Senate voted today 42-2 to end the state's 4.5% sales tax applied to groceries, sending the measure to Governor Kevin Stitt for his signature (the House voted 88-7 to pass HB1955 last year, meaning the bill was still eligible for Senate action this session). The change will likely take effect in August.

Local sales tax on groceries still applies; Locally assessed sales taxes on groceries will remain unchanged by the law through June 30th, 2025, after which point it seems counties and municipalities can change their rates (... which I'm sure they will).

Pro Tem Treat: "We cannot have both grocery and income tax cut this year"

When it comes to Gov. Stitt's desire to pass an income tax cut and eliminate the grocery sales tax, Senate GOP leadership is loath to pursue both. Pro Tem Treat is set on only moving on the grocery tax.

Pro Tem Treat Comments on Board of Equalization Numbers

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 15th) – Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, today issued the following statement after the Oklahoma Board of Equalization released the estimate of revenue that will be available for lawmakers to spend on government services.

“These numbers are certainly encouraging, and they show a lot of promise,” Pro Tem Treat said. “With these numbers and the current savings we have, now is the time to cut the grocery tax. Cutting the grocery tax will give Oklahomans immediate relief every time they leave the grocery store and will be more beneficial than any other form of tax cut.

Gov. Stitt on budget funds certification: "No more excuses" - let's cut taxes

Gov. Stitt wants both an income tax cut and the elimination of the grocery sales tax. It seems that State House leadership agrees with him, but State Senate leaders want only the grocery sales tax cut. Who will prevail?

GOVERNOR STITT URGES LEGISLATURE TO ADVANCE TAX CUTS AFTER BOE CERTIFIES AVAILABLE STATE FUNDS

OKLAHOMA CITY (February 15, 2024) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt released the following statement urging the Oklahoma Legislature to advance tax cut legislation after the Oklahoma State Board of Equalization (BOE) certified the Legislature will have $11.1 billon in authorized funds for FY 25:

Pro Tem Treat calls for grocery sales tax cut; Gov. Stitt, Speaker McCall respond

Gov. Kevin Stitt has been asking the Oklahoma Legislature for several years to eliminate the grocery sales tax and cut income taxes, including calling special sessions to that end. Yesterday, Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat sent out a press release citing a new economic report as evidence for passage of his bill to do away with the grocery sales tax - which he says will be more impactful for Oklahoma than Stitt's income tax idea.

Gov. Stitt and House Speaker Charles McCall responded with press releases of their own. Read on:

After recent survey, Senate Pro Tem Treat calls for elimination of state grocery sales tax

Hasn't Governor Stitt been asking the Senate to do this for a while now? It took some survey for Treat to get on board? Why am I not surprised...

Pro Tem Treat Comments on Oklahoma Grocery Price Data

Survey amplifies need for grocery tax cut

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 3rd) - Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, today said the time to cut the state portion of the grocery tax is now. 

Pro Tem Treat’s Senate Bill 1283, filed in December, would eliminate the state’s portion of the grocery tax. According to recent data average Oklahomans spend nearly $300 per trip to the grocery store, putting the state in the top 10 in the nation for highest grocery bill per week. 

Humphrey bill would remove sales tax on motor vehicle purchases

Humphrey Bill Would Remove Sales Tax on Motor Vehicle Purchases

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 2nd) – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, has filed a bill for the upcoming special session that would remove the 1.25% sales tax on motor vehicle purchases.

The move would leave in place the 3.25% excise tax paid on such purchases.

"We've effectively been double taxing Oklahomans who buy a motor vehicle," Humphrey said. "With the governor's special session call to consider tax cuts, this should be an easy one to consider."

Garvin County legislators ask for AG opinion on sales taxes for rural ambulance services

Roe, Garvin Push for AG Opinion on Sales Taxes for Rural Ambulance Services

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, and Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, have requested an opinion from Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond regarding the distribution of county sales tax revenue to support private businesses providing a public service.

In April 2021, Garvin County voters approved Proposition No. 2, which would set aside a portion of sales tax toward Emergency Management Services (EMS) in certain rural areas that did not previously maintain emergency services.

Small: 'Trigger' law needed for income tax repeal

‘Trigger’ law needed

By Jonathan Small

The fallout from the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma continues today. A recent federal court decision declaring Indians to be exempt from city police enforcement of municipal laws in local courts in Tulsa is just the latest example.

That issue is being appealed and many other issues are winding their way through the court system.

OCPA supports drivers licenses for illegals because they're "already driving on our roads"

I admit to being somewhat baffled about the state of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs in recent years.

I was troubled by the antagonism and outright hostility they displayed toward valid concerns by the homeschool community last year when OCPA was pushing a "school choice" bill by Sen. Greg Treat. This was followed by the stunning announcement that OCPA supports expanding the sales tax to include services in Oklahoma, a multi-billion dollar tax hike primarily on the backs of small businesses.

Now? OCPA is seemingly abandoning all good sense and advocating in favor of giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants because... "these people are already driving on our roads" and pay taxes?

There's been some serious compromise on their espoused conservative principles, and my bet is that it's likely driven by the folks with the purse strings that keep their lights on (for example, they've received millions over the years from groups like the Walton Family Foundation, which advocates liberal views of immigration).

Tremendously disappointing.

Read on for to see the serious disconnect in OCPA's logic for yourself: