It was a crazy, busy week at the Capitol! As a freshman, it’s a new experience to see the Capitol come to life with enthusiasm and activity!
Thursday, March 23, marks the 28th day of session and the deadline for House bills to be heard on the House floor.
We passed 477 House bills this year. The bills passed this week include gun measures, tax relief plans, and one lessened the penalties for cock fighting.
House Bill 1955 passed the House this week, which would end the state grocery sales tax. Oklahoma is one of 13 states that has a sales tax on groceries. At the current rate of 4.5%, people spending $200 a week on groceries pay $468 in taxes on those groceries every year.
HB1955 would only apply to state sales taxes. Many counties and municipalities have their own sales taxes, and groceries would still be susceptible to those local taxes.
Another tax cut bill passed, House Bill 1954, which would reduce all state personal income tax rates by 0.5 percentage points beginning Jan. 1. That would drop the state’s top rate from 4.75% to 4.25%.
HB1954 follows an income tax proposal bill, House Bill 2285, by Rep. Mark Lepak that passed on Monday. HB2285 has an initial impact of $155 million but the potential to grow much larger over time.
Last year, the House sent several bills to the Senate to eliminate this tax, but they weren’t taken up in the other chamber. I hope the Senate will soon pass this much-needed relief for Oklahomans.
I had three bills pass this week: House Bill 2339, House Bill 2472 and House Bill 2335. I was excited to see these bills pass with such wide support!
This week we had Oklahoma Aviation and Defense (AERO) day at the Capitol.
Due to floor work, I spent less time interacting with everyone than I would’ve liked. However, I visited all the vendors and companies interested in investing in our state.
AERO day provided dialogue with business professionals who are on the leading edge of the aerospace industry. I was excited for the opportunity to shine light on our Oklahoma spaceport in Burns Flat.
Last, Speaker McCall appointed me to serve on the energy council. It is a legislative organization comprising 14 energy- producing states and two Canadian provinces. I am honored to serve in this role and look forward to attending the council’s next conference this summer in Washington D.C.
I intend to continually keep you informed of what is happening at the Capitol. It is truly an honor and privilege to represent you at the State Capitol. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any concerns at (405) 557-7312 or at [email protected].
Nick Archer, a Republican, serves House District 55 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which covers Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian and Washita counties.
