The Latest in Oklahoma: August 10, 2024
A&A Advocates
In August, Oklahomans will see a small tax break. The elimination of the state grocery tax enacted by the legislature after a strong push by Governor Stitt last session is set to take effect on August 29. While this does eliminate the state grocery tax, local governments are still able to charge sales tax. Food that is hot, prepared for immediate consumption by the seller or comes with utensils will still be subject to taxation. This tax cut is estimated to save Oklahomans $104 per person in taxes each year.
Todd Hiett, chairman of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, has given up his title but intends to remain on the board after facing accusations of sexual misconduct. He has handed the chairmanship over to Commissioner Kim David. This comes as questions also circulate around commissioners’ ability to accept campaign donations from businesses/industries they are charged with regulating.
Former state employee Heath Hayes has been charged with embezzling thousands of dollars intended to fund the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Hayes approved three unexplained transactions totaling nearly $150,000 and either withdrew cash or deposited them into a bank of which he was the owner. This is in addition to donation checks totaling nearly $37,000 that were found to have been sent to his home.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education is attempting to redirect certain funds the state legislature allotted school districts to make security enhancements, even though OSDE’s website said districts could keep the money. House Bill 2904, passed in 2023, provided Oklahoma schools with $150 million to make security enhancements to campuses and hire school resource officers in the wake of the 2022 Uvalde shooting. But now, some superintendents say the OSDE denied them access to leftover funds.
Interim Studies
All House and Senate interim study requests have been approved and assigned to committees. View the full list of House interim studies here and Senate interim studies here.
“We’re going to be changing generations for the better. Whether it’s education, whether it’s health care, whether it’s economic development. This will level the playing field between areas that have had high-speed internet and those who have not.” – Mike Sanders, executive director of the Oklahoma Broadband office
