The Latest in Oklahoma: December 13, 2024
A&A Advocates
Governor Kevin Stitt has announced his strong support for former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, particularly his proposals to tighten border security and reform asylum processes. Stitt highlighted the impact of current immigration issues on Oklahoma, including public safety and economic strain, and stated that adopting stricter federal policies is essential for addressing these challenges.
The Oklahoma House has launched a government efficiency portal to gather public input on examples of state government waste or duplication as they prepare the fiscal year 2026 budget. The move aligns with President Trump’s focus on government efficiency, including the creation of a federal Department of Government Efficiency. House Appropriations Chair Trey Caldwell highlighted the importance of eliminating waste to enhance funding for essential services. Residents can report inefficiencies by providing detailed information through the portal on the OklahomaHouse’s website.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court denied a petition seeking to disqualify Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett from voting on cases, citing allegations of misconduct. The court ruled that the petitioners are not “aggrieved” until a final commission order is issued, allowing future appeals. Justice Dana Kuehn suggested the Ethics Commission as a better venue for such complaints. Hiett welcomed the decision, while the legislators vowed to continue advocating for Oklahoma ratepayers.
State Representative Jay Steagall (R-Yukon) has introduced House Bill 1009, aiming to phase out Oklahoma’s personal and corporate income taxes by 2035. The proposal suggests annual reductions of 0.00475% for personal income tax and 0.004% for corporate income tax over a decade. Steagall argues that income taxes infringe upon constitutional rights to enjoy the fruits of one’s labor and believes that eliminating these taxes will promote economic liberty and align with the state’s foundational principles.
Notable Dates and Deadlines
Dec. 20 – Fiscal Bill Filing
Jan. 7 – Organizational Day
Jan. 16 – Filing Bills and Joint Resolutions
Feb. 3 – Session Begins
Legislative Update
After Friday’s request deadline elapsed, we have 1,560 SB requests and 2090 HB requests (plus 25 HJRs and 1 HCR), for a combined total of 3,676 requested bills. As always, the actual total will be lower, but that’s what we know so far!