The Metropolis Sentinel, Workers Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – Home Minority Chief Emily Virgin, D-Norman, filed an interim research request Tuesday (June 29) to look at the advantages of ending the state gross sales tax on groceries.
Eliminating the tax was a key element of Home Democrats’ Oklahoma Targeted Finances this previous session. The elimination would save Oklahomans, a lot of whom are struggling to maintain up with the price of residing, greater than $250 million in taxes on groceries.
“Ending the grocery tax retains cash within the pocket of low and middle-income Oklahomans,” Virgin mentioned. “We’ve got mother and father who’re stretching each greenback to have the ability to feed their kids. They shouldn’t must calculate a minimize for the state of their grocery invoice.”
Oklahoma is considered one of solely 13 states that impose a tax on groceries. Solely three states make their residents pay a better tax than Oklahoma.
“Thirty-seven states fund their authorities and not using a tax on milk and bread,” Virgin mentioned. “Oklahoma can too.”
The Democratic chief needs to spend time wanting on the financial advantages of ending the state’s gross sales tax on groceries.
“We’ve got heard from grocery shops that this is able to assist them,” Virgin mentioned. “We wish to use this research to search out out to what diploma.”
Ending the tax has bipartisan help amongst each voters and lawmakers.
“We’ve got seen statements from Republican lawmakers that appear to help ending the grocery tax,” Virgin mentioned. “When our caucus put out the Oklahoma Targeted Finances, we acquired constructive suggestions from constituents of all events. It’s a common thought, however most essential, it’s good coverage.”
Editor’s Observe: In Oklahoma, Interim Examine requests are thought of by the Speaker of the Home each summer time. Speaker Charles McCall accepted requests for interim research from members of each events by June 25. He’s anticipated to announce a listing of authorised research by July 23, 2023. Previously, the Interim Examine course of has laid the premise for a lot of legislative proposals finally enacted into legislation.
