The Oklahoma House of Representatives returned to special session Wednesday, endorsing House Bill 1002XXX to reduce the state’s personal income tax rate by .25%. The vote — 71 to 20 — fell pretty much along party lines. Republicans supported the measure, Democrats opposed it. Nine members were excused and did not vote.
House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, a Democrat from Oklahoma City, said it was just recently that the state was forced to cut funding to programs and services. “I’ll never forget the grown men who sat across from my desk shaking, trying to tell me their story,” she said. “Who’d been living with addiction, who needed access to treatment and mental health services.”
She said it was fascinating that Gov. Kevin Stitt took credit for the work done by the Legislature. “He was not disciplined with our money,” Munson said. “We raised taxes, you raised taxes and invested in the state of Oklahoma and he’s taking credit for it.”
Another tax cut, she said, would harm the state. Munson said the tax cut would put only about $117 dollars back into the pocket of someone who makes about $47,000 per year.