Oklahoma City — The House Democratic Caucus continues to push for the elimination of the state grocery sales tax, increased investment in public education, an end to the reliance on fines and fees in Oklahoma’s criminal justice system, and, in the words of a staff press release, “for the Legislature to override Governor Kevin Stitt’s veto on legislation that increases transparency.”

House Democrats said they look to find Republican support for issues overwhelmingly supported by Oklahomans as growing global inflation made many problems Democrats hope to solve worse.

“Failure to eliminate the grocery tax this session is hard to comprehend,” said House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman.“Oklahomans face rising food costs and eliminating this tax increases buying power at the grocery store. Thirty-seven states have figured out how to fund their government without taxing milk and bread. Keeping a tax that collects more dollars as inflation rises is unfortunate and cruel.”

Instead of eliminating the grocery tax to provide permanent relief, the Republican budget lowers the tax on the purchase of new cars and provides a one-time check of $75 per adult regardless of their income. Meanwhile, the House Democrats contrasted these steps with a decision to allocate $700 million to recruit a global, billion-dollar company to Pryor, Oklahoma.

“There seems to be a disconnect between what Oklahomans need and what legislative Republicans want,” said Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City.“ We had an opportunity to move toward a more equitable tax system. Instead, this budget gives corporations a huge break, while Oklahomans get a small check in December. Budgets speak to our priorities, and this budget fails to reflect the priorities of everyday Oklahomans.”

The proposed Republican budget holds many agencies, including the State Department of Education, effectively flat.

“An incremental investment in common education is necessary to give students the stability they need,” said Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater.“Instead, we’re told ‘not this year.’ A budget held flat is a cut when considering the current inflation rate. We cannot hope for economic development in this state without simultaneously investing in our children’s education.”

Democrats were pleased when Republican leadership held conversations about ending Oklahoma’s court system’s reliance on fines and fees. However, the issue was left unaddressed in the GOP’s proposed budget.

“The longer Oklahoma courts rely on fines and fees to operate, the longer a debtor’s prison exists in Oklahoma,” said Rep. Jason Lowe, D-Oklahoma City.“Oklahomans are currently sitting in jail due to the inability to pay a fine. This creates a cycle where people can’t generate income but must pay money for their freedom. It is inhumane.”

The staff press release continued, “In addition to fighting for policies to address inflation and properly fund government services, Democrats continue to call on the Legislature to overturn Governor Stitt’s veto of Senate Bill 1695. S.B. 1695 requires the governor’s cabinet and state agency appointees to provide a financial disclosure form before taking office.”

“We have seen in today’s news reports about our secretary of education’s financial conflicts, which is precisely why these disclosures are critical. We had an opportunity to provide taxpayers with more transparency, but with a stroke of a pen, Governor Kevin Stitt said ‘no,’” said Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City.“ Oklahomans deserve to know who is spending their money and where their loyalties lay. The Legislature, which unanimously supported this bill, should immediately override Governor Stitt’s veto.”

To find out more about the Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus’ 2022 Legislative Priorities, visit www.oklahomafocused.com.