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

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.

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.

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.” 

(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.

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.

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: