Pro Tem Treat responds to Governor's State of the State

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, congratulated Gov. Kevin Stitt for a successful State of the State address Monday to open the second regular session of the 58^th Legislature.

Gov. Stitt specifically mentioned his support for Treat’s Senate Bill 1647, the Oklahoma Empowerment Act.

“The governor gave a substantive speech outlining several priorities that will take Oklahoma to the next level. I appreciate the governor’s support of the Oklahoma Empowerment Act, which is a transformative education reform bill. Education is the key to bringing generational change and breaking the poverty cycle in our state. All parents should be empowered to pick the school that best serves the needs of their children. Senate Bill 1647 will put parents back in charge of their children’s education and help students pursue a great education regardless of where they live,” Treat said.

The governor also signaled his support for the elimination of the state sales tax on groceries. Treat has filed Senate Bill 1495, which would eliminate the 4.5 percent state sales tax on groceries. The bill would not prohibit cities and counties from levying their own grocery sales taxes.

“Inflation is near a 40-year high and is draining the budgets of all Oklahoma families. The state sales tax on groceries is a regressive tax that harms working families the most. I look forward to partnering with the governor to pursue the elimination of the state's grocery sales tax so that we can give Oklahoma families meaningful tax relief,” Treat said.