Gov. Stitt reaffirms his call for tax reform as the education conversation moves forward
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — Another week at the Capitol has wrapped up and there's still no word on an agreement over education or tax reform.
On the education front, the House passed the Senate's parent choice tax credit bill, but they're holding it until there's an agreement on public school funding.
Education is just one facet of the Governor's plan though, and at his press conference on Friday he reaffirmed his other priority.
"We have to get tax cuts done and we have to get school choice done," Governor Stitt said. "So lets get those things across the finish line."
The legislative session is winding down, and the President Pro Tem of the Senate continues to say that education is sucking all of the air out of the room.
As the House and Senate take baby steps towards a resolution though, the tax reform portion of the Governor's call could soon take the spotlight.
"If we can land an education deal, on a tax cut of some sort as long as it's sustainable long term, I think we would entertain that," Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat said.
There's multiple options on the table when it comes to the personal income tax and franchise tax. The Governor's goal is to keep up with the rest of the country.
"There's several states that are on a path right now that as revenue is going up, they're just slowing rationing down the personal income tax, and I don't want to get left behind as Oklahomans," Gov. Stitt said.
While the House has passed multiple tax cuts, the Senate has taken a more modest approach with working groups.
"So what we have defined 'living within our means' is lower than the Governor and the Speaker and their respective bodies have said," Sen. Treat said.
The Pro Tem is concerned that the economy will be slowing down, but the Governor argues that's why our savings is so important.
"We literally have $6.2B in savings right now, so we're in a really good situation," Governor Stitt said. "And that's why we can afford to do a quarter of a point or a half a point tax cut or get rid of the grocery tax."
The Governor confirmed that he will be meeting with House and Senate leadership on Monday to sit down for more negotiations, so there's a possibility Oklahoma could see some results soon.
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