On an overwhelming vote of 71-20, the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed an income tax cut Wednesday, during the special session.House Bill 1002XXX would reduce the state income tax from 4.75 percent to 4.5 percent.Speaker of the House Charles McCall, R-Atoka, sponsored the legislation, consistently agreeing with Governor Kevin Stitt that taxpayers deserved tax cuts now.Inactive in this week’s debate was the upper chamber of the Legislature, where President Pro Temore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, has opposed the Governor Kevin Stitt’s objectives in several areas, including tax reduction and relations the state’s Big Tribes.After Wednesday’s approval, Jonathan Small of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) applauded the measure, while House Democrats derided the proposal.Small has consistently advocated for income tax reduction and greater fiscal discipline.( https://www.citynewsokc.com/business/time-for-income-tax-cuts-for-working-families-small-business/article_d306b2ce-bbf8-11ee-9190-63e976020804.html )From the start of the discussion this past winter, House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, has said income tax reduction would benefit only the wealthy.In an email sent to CityNewsOKC, Small — who is president of OCPA — said:“Oklahoma working families are struggling under the burden created by historic rates of inflation caused by Biden administration policies.“Providing permanent tax relief to working families and small businesses is one important way to partially offset the damage, and it also expands jobs and opportunity in Oklahoma.”If enacted as written, with retroactivity for calendar year 2023, the full impact of the measure is uncertain, although some parameters have been projected by legislative staff.The Fiscal year 2024 impact could reach $68 million.The Fiscal year 2025 impact could range from $248 million and $345 million.A press release from OCPA said the group “promotes the flourishing of the people of Oklahoma by advancing principles and policies that support free enterprise, limited government, personal responsibility, individual initiative, and strong families.”House Democrats unanimously opposed tax reduction.Leader Munson asserted, “We don’t talk about what will help working Oklahomans, like raising the living wage or creating a living wage for working families. And it’s been shown time and time again when we don’t invest in ourselves and we don’t invest in our state, we can’t bring jobs that can pay higher wages and provide better benefits to do the things that actually allow us to pay our bills, feed our families, and put a roof over our heads.”Fellow Oklahoma City Democrats Andy Fugate and Mickey Dollens joined in mockery of the tax cut.Representative Fugate said, “We are a poor state because we are a poorly led state.”Rep. Dollens asserted, “We need to invest in this state. We need to show companies that this place is an opportunity to raise a family and make the most out of your potential. But instead, we are here today for political gamesmanship because it’s an election year.”Rep, Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa, referencing the Senate’s immediate adjournment on Monday — under the guidance of Treat — asked rhetorically:”[W]hy are we in this building right now for Special Session to get nothing done. Nothing from nothing leaves nothing. The Oklahoma people deserve better.”The seventy-one Republcans who voted all cast “Aye”.Every Democrat voted “Nay.”Nine members did not vote.( http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2023-24%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/House/HB1002XXX_VOTES.HTM )