By John Dobberstein, Editor
With the swipe of a pen, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill Tuesday eliminating Oklahoma’s grocery tax Tuesday after a rare bipartisan measure passed through the state legislature.
House Bill 1955 eliminated the state portion of the grocery tax, which will save Oklahomans an estimated $105 a year.
“Oklahomans have waited for this day for years, and I’m proud to be the governor that Oklahomans chose to eliminate the state portion of the grocery tax,” Stitt said during a signing ceremony and press conference at the State Capitol.
“I’ve called for tax cuts every year since I’ve been in office — and when we see such broad bipartisan support for a bill like this, we know we’re doing something right.”
Previously, Oklahoma was one of only 13 states that imposed a state tax on groceries. The bill takes effect in August.
“Cutting the state portion of the grocery tax has been a priority of mine for several years,” said Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat. “Once it takes effect, it will begin to save Oklahomans hundreds of dollars per year at the grocery store. I also appreciate my Senate colleagues and our House counterparts who worked hard to deliver this for everyone.”
“I would like to thank my colleagues in the House for their tireless work over the past three years, passing multiple tax cut bills to try and help the citizens of our state. Their efforts have made today possible,” said House Speaker Charles McCall.
“Our work is not done,” he added, as he, along with Stitt, wants to pursue a repeal of the personal and income tax.
“The House is continuing to pass meaningful tax relief legislation, and we hope our Senate counterparts will bring it up for a vote on behalf of their constituents. As we have seen, if you bring it up for a vote, it will pass and benefit all the citizens of our state.”
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