Upcoming special session could be "colossal failure" if the Governor doesn't have a plan for tax cuts, Senate leader tells FOX 25

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The state legislature is gearing up for yet another special session.

Earlier in September, Governor Kevin Stitt made the call for a special session to address tax cuts. It starts on Tuesday, October 3rd.

Since the Governor's call, Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat has called it "vague" and has asked for the Governor's plan.

He told FOX 25's Shelby Love he doesn't think they cut the state income tax in a special session like the Governor wants.

"In Oklahoma, if you want to raise the tax, you have to have 75% of the vote. So, if you want to eliminate the income tax, which the Governor and I actually share that idea, you have to do it methodically and thoughtfully," Sen. President Pro Tem. Treat said. "I don't think we can do it in a special session."

Treat has been in the state legislature since 2011. He's lived and worked though may budget shortfalls between 2015-2017.

"I've lived through a 600 million dollar shortfall, an 800 million dollar shortfall, and a 1.3 billion dollar shortfall," he added. "We're living in good times right now. We have a surplus, but we have a surplus because we've intentionally underspent for the last five years. We've intentionally spent less than we have to build up a savings account, to build up revenues to be able to do things like investments in public education, like giving parental choice on school choice, investing in health care, investing in roads. I don't want to undercut any of those advancements."

Treat has invited the Governor to join them in the special session to tell them about his plan.

"I anticipate he will join," he said.

However, Treat is nervous about whether or not the Governor has a plan.

"I hope we get a better understanding of what the Governor is thinking," he said. "I hope he didn't just put out a call without a plan. If that's true, it's going to be a colossal failure."

"If he has a plan, we look forward to hearing it," Treat added. "We hope he shows up next Tuesday."