Gov. Stitt considering new special session on tax cuts

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt mulling new special session on tax cuts

by Carmen Forman, Oklahoma Voice

December 22, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt said Friday he is considering calling lawmakers into another special session on tax cuts early next year.

Stitt said he’d like to see lawmakers approve a 0.25% personal income tax cut before the regular, four-month legislative session begins Feb. 5.

“I’d love to get a tax cut done before we go back into session so it’s not all jumbled up with all the other policy things,” Stitt told reporters.

He said he planned to talk to House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, and Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, about the idea.

The governor made the comments after the state Board of Equalization, which he leads, certified budget projections for the upcoming fiscal year.

According to the projections, lawmakers could spend up to $13.9 billion next year, or about $1 billion more than the $12.9 billion budget they approved this year.

The figures presented Friday serve as a starting point for Stitt to build a budget proposal he will present to lawmakers Feb. 5. Lawmakers will begin crafting the spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year once the Board of Equalization meets again in February to certify updated budget projections.

Touting projections showing the state could have about $458 million more in recurring revenue to spend next year, Stitt said he’s feeling “great” about the possibility of a tax cut.

A 0.25% personal income tax cut would cost about $250 million annually once fully implemented, he said.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, said he expects lawmakers will only have about $300 million or less in new recurring revenue to spend next year.

It’s too soon to talk about cutting taxes, he added. Lawmakers need to dig into the budget figures presented Friday to get a better idea of how much extra cash the state will have, Thompson said.

“We need to solidify what the numbers are before we talk about going into a special session,” he said.

Stitt also urged lawmakers to pass a 0.25% personal income tax cut in an October special session.

Although the House was prepared to act on the governor’s request, the Senate abruptly adjourned the special session after Stitt refused to appear before a legislative panel to answer questions about his proposed tax cuts.

Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter.

Rep. McBride thanks State Supt. Walters for subpoena response

Chairman McBride Acknowledges Walters' Subpoena Response

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 26th) – Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, today released a statement acknowledging State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters' compliance with a recently issued subpoena. The subpoena required delivery of records and communications requested by the House Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee, which McBride chairs. 

Small: OSU president in denial over DEI

OSU president in denial

By Jonathan Small

Gov. Kevin Stitt took an important step when he recently issued an executive order targeting so-called “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI) positions at Oklahoma colleges by banning the use of state taxpayer funds for DEI to the extent those bureaucrats and programs treat people differently based on race.

One prominent college leader responded with denial – or, in the most charitable interpretation, self-delusion.

Merry Christmas!

Have a very merry Christmas!

The account of the birth of Jesus Christ, from Luke 2:

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

I hope that you have a very happy and safe holiday! 

Before the year runs out, you should do the 'good person' test:

Here's the deal. God made you. God made everything. Just as the electronic device you are reading this on had a designer, the building you are in had an architect, the vehicle you drive had a manufacturer, this entire universe - infinitely more complex - had a Creator. He orchestrated the atoms and molecules that make up everything.

As Creator, He has the right and prerogative for placing laws and rules for His creation to follow. You, and I, and every human being, have fallen short of those laws. We may think we're good, or that we're better than others, but that's a flawed assessment.

The Ten Commandments sum up God's Law. We have all broken every single one. We have lied. We have stolen. We have had inappropriate sexual thoughts (Jesus called this adultery of the heart). We have been angry without just cause (Jesus called this murder of the heart). We have coveted. We have blasphemed. We are all guilty.

"But judge, I'm not as bad as that other criminal!" doesn't fly in the earthly courtroom, nor the eternal courtroom.

Punishment for offenses increase as the party against which the crime was perpetrated increase in stature. Disobedience to parents require one level of correction/punishment. Crimes against a human government require a higher degree of punishment. Crimes against an infinite God require a greater punishment, namely an infinite punishment. 

Heaven is real, but so is Hell. Hell is a real place, where the full righteous wrath of God Almighty is unendingly poured out on those who rebelled against the most loving and gracious Being in the Universe. You have sinned against God and earned for yourself Hell. I sinned against God and earned for myself Hell.

But, Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, God in flesh, came to earth and fulfilled God's Law on our behalf and paid our punishment with His sacrificial death, wiping away our sin-debt, our criminal fine, and giving us His righteousness. 

We must, by faith, believe and repent. Believe that Jesus is who He said He was, that He died for us and rose again, and repent - turn away from our sin in disgust that we would offend God in such ways, and dedicate our lives to following Him, not in order to earn salvation but in recognition that we cannot save ourselves and in response and gratefulness to the kindness shown to us by God in providing a way of forgiveness.

This salvation is a free (and permanent, ever-lasting) gift of God, and is fully of Him. We contribute nothing to it except the sin that made it necessary. We can do nothing to earn it or maintain it. No amount of good deeds or prayers or pilgrimages or sacraments is sufficient -- only Christ is.

I cannot convince you of the Gospel. Only God can. My responsibility is to share it with you. 

You must determine whether you will believe it to be true or not.

But know this: if all this is true, you will one day stand before your Maker and be held to account for the works you did and did not do during your life. And, you will be held to account for how you respond(ed) to the free offer of the Gospel that was presented to you, for better or for worse. 

 

Life is short, and Man is not guaranteed tomorrow. Eternity is forever. God offers salvation freely to those who will believe. Receive it while you have opportunity to do so and do not tarry.

Speaker McCall files income tax cut bills ahead of 2024 session

Speaker McCall Files Tax Cut Legislation Ahead of Session

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 21st) – Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, has filed multiple pieces of legislation regarding personal income tax cuts ahead of the upcoming session of the Oklahoma Legislature. The bills are the latest in a series of tax cut plans that the House has filed and passed throughout the last three years.

Brecheen's freshman year legislative highlights

2023 Wrapped: Congressman Brecheen’s Legislative Work Highlights

 

Washington, D.C. (Dec. 20th) – As we reach the conclusion of Congressman Brecheen’s first year in office, here are some of the top legislative highlights of the year in case you might have missed it. 

Stitt forms 'One Oklahoma Task Force' to confront continued impact of McGirt

GOVERNOR STITT FORMS ONE OKLAHOMA TASK FORCE TO CONFRONT THE CONTINUED IMPACT OF MCGIRT

 

OKLAHOMA CITY (December 22, 2023) - Today, Governor Stitt signed Executive Order 2023-32, creating the One Oklahoma Task Force to provide the Governor, Legislature, Tribal leaders, and congressional delegation with legislative and regulatory recommendations as we continue to feel the impacts of the McGirt decision.

OCPA president calls on Kayse Shrum to honor OSU’s ‘historic values’

OCPA president calls on Kayse Shrum to honor OSU’s ‘historic values’

OKLAHOMA CITY (December 18, 2023)—Recent events have demonstrated to Americans the extent of the rot in higher education, especially in elite institutions. But the problems are here at home, too—including at Oklahoma State University—and it’s time for policymakers to act, OCPA president Jonathan Small said today.

“I applaud Gov. Kevin Stitt for his executive order seeking to reduce the influence of poisonous ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI) ideologies in Oklahoma colleges,” Small said. “Unfortunately, OSU president Kayse Shrum’s dismissive response to the executive order—‘an initial review indicates that no significant changes to our processes or practices are needed’—shows that she’s hopelessly out of step with the Oklahomans paying the freight.” 

OK Dems open '24 primary to Independents; GOP and Libertarians keep closed primaries

Independents Eligible to Vote in 2024 Democratic Primary Elections

(Oklahoma City, Dec. 18th) – State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax announced today that he has been notified by the Oklahoma Democratic Party that it will allow Independents to vote in its primaries and runoff primaries during the 2024-2025 election years. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Republican Party notified the Secretary that it will keep its primaries closed to Independent voters. The Libertarian Party did not formally send a notification; therefore, by default, the Libertarian Party primaries will remain closed as designated by state law. More information about political parties is available on the State Election Board website.

Workhorse for his constituents: Congressman Brecheen's first year in office by the numbers

He's a workhorse, for sure! Honestly, I don't recall any other member of Congress putting this sort of constituent engagement in like Brecheen has.

2023 Wrapped: Congressman Brecheen and His Team Ensure Oklahoma Constituents’ Voices are Heard Within “The People’s House”

Washington, D.C. (December 18th) – As we reach the conclusion of Congressman Josh Brecheen’s first year in office, here are some of the top highlights of the year from our constituent engagement within Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District, in case you might have missed it.

By the Numbers:

Attorney General's Open Meetings, Open Records seminars see record turnout

Open Meetings, Open Records seminars see record turnout 

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 14, 2023) - More than 900 Oklahomans attended a series of Open Meetings and Open Records seminars presented this fall by the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office and the Oklahoma Press Association in different regions of the state. 

OKGOP congratulates Logan County GOP on historic precinct organization

As a former county party vice-chair, I can attest that this is quite the grassroots accomplishment:

Oklahoma Republican Party issues statement on Logan County GOP

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 18th) – Today, Nathan Dahm, Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman, announced a significant achievement for the Oklahoma Republican Party.   Logan County has 100% representation in every one of its thirty precincts, which records show, has never occurred in Oklahoma.