Lawmakers Return To State Capitol For Tax Cuts, COVID Relief Special Sessions

Oklahoma lawmakers are heading back to the state capitol Monday for not one but two special sessions.

It comes as disagreements between Governor Kevin Stitt and legislative leaders publicly boil over.

One special session was called by Governor Stitt who said lawmakers didn’t do enough to cut taxes. The other was called by lawmakers who said Gov. Stitt has been too slow to spend federal COVID-19 relief funds.

At the end of the regular session, Stitt vetoed a $75 direct payment to taxpayers aimed at relieving inflation. Instead, he said lawmakers should repeal the state grocery tax and cut the personal income tax rate.

Lawmakers are also slated to vote on bills in the other special session dealing with federal COVID-19 relief funds. Among the proposals being considered are a $39 million proposal to complete the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Behavioral Health Center, $15 million to complete a School of Optometry at Northeastern State University and $9 million for projects addressing the nursing workforce shortage.

With the potential for controversy, the dueling special sessions come just two weeks ahead of the primary election.