OKLAHOMA CITY – Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, today issued a statement following Gov. Stitt's signing of House Bill 1955, by McCall, which eliminates the state's portion of the grocery tax.

"Today is a day that has been a year in the making and it could not have come soon enough for the citizens of Oklahoma," McCall said. "House Bill 1955 eliminates the state portion of the grocery tax, which sits at 4.5%, and will save Oklahomans hundreds of dollars each year on their grocery bills. Inflation is higher than at almost any other point in our nation's history, and Oklahomans are feeling that the most through the price of their groceries. I am proud of the House for leading this effort to cut the grocery tax, and thankful that Oklahomans are close to receiving the relief they so desperately need."

The bill, which will go into effect 90 days after sine die adjournment of the Legislature, cuts the state's portion of the grocery tax and includes a two-year moratorium on local grocery and sales taxes that prohibits cities from increasing those through June 2025.

"Eliminating the state's portion of the grocery tax is a good first step towards helping ease the burden of inflation on Oklahomans, but it is not the only step needed to truly help our citizens," McCall said. "The Senate is currently in possession of a number of House bills that would cut income taxes and change the tax structure of our state to be more favorable to our taxpayers. These bills are equally as important, if not more so, than cutting the grocery tax, and they deserve to be heard and put up for a vote in the Senate. In addition to bills already sent to the Senate, I have filed a number of tax relief measures this year that the House will be sending over as well. The Senate passed the grocery tax cut by a vote of 42-2. To me, that signals that the members of that body are supportive of tax relief for Oklahomans. If that is the case, they should put these other important tax relief bills up for a vote and send them to the governor's desk immediately."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Daniel Seitz, House Leadership Communications Liaison

Phone: (405) 962-7649

Email: daniel.seitz@okhouse.gov