OKLAHOMA STATE SENATE / From the desk of Sen. Jessica Garvin
The largest tax cut in state history will take effect this month. As a result of legislation passed earlier this year, Oklahoma will eliminate the state portion of the grocery sales tax on Aug. 29. That means all Oklahomans will pay 4.5% less on groceries every time they visit the supermarket. Shoppers will still have to pay local grocery taxes, and some items, like alcohol and prepared foods, are not exempt from state taxes. But I’m hopeful this tax cut will help families across the state who have seen grocery prices skyrocket due to inflation. As a mother of three, I know my family’s grocery bills have increased significantly.
Last month, the Senate closed out a special session to confirm a new appointee to the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents, which governs Oklahoma State University and a few other colleges. As requested by the governor, the Senate confirmed agricultural attorney Jennifer Callahan to the board. While the governor gets to make many appointments to state government boards and commissions, some of those appointments must be confirmed by the Senate.
In the special session, my Senate colleagues and I also unanimously passed a resolution condemning political violence following the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump’s life, a tragedy that resulted in several innocent bystanders being critically injured or killed. After adjourning the special session, the Senate GOP caucus met to elect a new leader for the chamber. The caucus voted for Sen. Lonnie Paxton, of Tuttle, to succeed Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat when Treat’s final term concludes in November.
It’s that time of the year when the Senate prepares to hold interim studies so my colleagues can really dig into various areas of public policy. These studies help lawmakers learn more about specific issues before potentially filing legislation.
Throughout the fall, Senate committees will hold 39 interim studies where subject-matter experts will be invited to present. I’ve already scheduled the Senate General Government Committee to hear interim studies on how state government boards and commissions can best serve public interests and strategies to decrease poverty in Oklahoma.
My committee will also hold studies to examine the regulations pertaining to interlocal cooperative agreements and policies surrounding property ownership at Lake Eufaula.
Last week, I had the pleasure of celebrating Oklahoma’s 48 Junior National Champion livestock exhibitors, including four students from Senate District 43, at the state Capitol. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry invited these outstanding students to meet with lawmakers and the governor to honor their impressive livestock and agricultural achievements.
Finally, I hope everyone will stop by the Rush Springs Watermelon Festival — one of my favorite events each summer — on Aug. 10. Marlow Rep. Brad Boles and I recently hosted Rush Springs Watermelon Queen Audrey Heath at the state Capitol for our annual watermelon feed.
This event allows us to share juicy and delicious Rush Springs watermelon with everyone working in the building.
If you have any questions or concerns on legislative matters, please contact me at the Capitol by emailing me at Jessica.Garvin@oksenate. gov, calling me at 405-521-5522 or writing to Senator Jessica Garvin, State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.
