7.5.24 – MSN -Story by Drury Vaughan – ARDMORE, Okla. (KXII)
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt wants to cut state income taxes by one quarter of a percent for every Oklahoman.
“We’ve been on a path to zero slowly bringing our income tax rate down over the last 20-30 years, and as we cut taxes we’ve seen revenue go up,” Stitt said.
Stitt says Oklahoma has seen historic economic growth across the state, with the tax cuts aiming to stabilize the economy.
“If you keep raising expenses every single year, you’re gonna be in the same situation in the future, when you do have an inevitable downturn in the economy,” Stitt added.
The governor also addressed the recent tribal compacts made with the Chickasaw and Apache tribes, where all tobacco sales tax revenue will be split 50/50 with the state.
“Tribes can sell their members tobacco without paying state sales tax, but when they sell to non-natives, they’re supposed to pay what everyone else pays,” Stitt stated.
Another compact was agreed upon with the Chickasaw nation, changing the process for tribal tags on vehicles. Stitt says it’s a safety concern for officers.
“The most dangerous part of our law enforcement on a traffic stop is pulling that car over not knowing if they have warrants, who in the world is in that car,” Stitt said.
Stitt says the implementation of tribal compacts and tax cuts are working together to help unify Oklahoma residents.
“We need to make sure that everybody, we have one set of rules regardless of where you live in the state and what race you are,” Stitt said.