SO, ANDY, HOW DID IT GO TODAY? WELL, TODAY IT WAS HARD TO FIND ANYTHING. THE TWO SIDES SEEMED TO AGREE ON EVEN DISAGREEING TODAY OVER WHERE TO START NEGOTIATIONS. BUT THE PRO TEM DOES REMAIN OPTIMISTIC. WHEN WE SPOKE TO HIM EARLIER TODAY. BUT HE ALSO DOESN’T BELIEVE THEY’LL REACH A DEAL ANYTIME SOON. OH, YOU WON’T SEE A FINAL NEGOTIATION TODAY. UM, WE’LL STILL BE HERE TILL MAY 31ST. I THINK YOU’LL SEE US MAKE A GOOD FAITH. UH, PROGRESS? YES. TODAY. UH, BUT I DO NOT ANTICIPATE WALKING OUT, UH, SINGING KUMBAYA. WALKED INTO MY THE TOPIC ON EVERYONE’S MIND. TAX CUTS WAS BROUGHT UP FIRST. THE GOVERNOR SAYS INSTEAD OF CUTTING INCOME TAXES BY A QUARTER OF A PERCENT, HE NOW LIKE TO PRIORITIZE CREATING A FLAT TAX BRACKET. ONE SINGLE TAX BRACKET, ARGUING IT WOULD ELIMINATE THE INCOME TAX FOR THE POOREST OKLAHOMANS. BUT THE SENATE AND HOUSE ARE STILL FAR APART ON THAT MATTER. THE HOUSE ARGUING THEIR MATH SHOWS THE STATE HAS THE MONEY WHILE THE SENATE SAYS THE HOUSE’S MATH DOES NOT ADD UP. OTHER THAN THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF DYSFUNCTION DURING THE MEETING, EVEN AT TIMES THEY’RE ARGUING OVER WHO WAS EMAILING WHO AND AT WHAT DATE. THOSE EMAILS WERE SENT. SO WE’LL HAVE MORE ON THE PROGRESS OF THIS MEETING AND A WRAP UP COMING UP LIVE AT FIVE, REPORTING LIVE A
Oklahoma House and Senate seem far apart on income tax cut as budget talks continue
It was difficult to find anything the House and Senate agreed on
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Updated: 4:20 PM CDT May 9, 2024
Lawmakers and Gov. Kevin Stitt returned to the negotiating table on Thursday, marking his second meeting this week with House Speaker Charles McCall and Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat to hammer out Oklahoma's budget for next year.It was difficult to find anything the House and Senate agreed on. They couldn't even agree on where they were in terms of a starting point for negotiations.Treat remains optimistic, but he said he didn't expect a deal anytime soon."We'll still be here until May 31. I think you'll see us make good-faith progress, but I don't anticipate walking out singing 'Kumbaya,'" Treat said.| MORE | Tax cuts continue to be topic of conversation as budget talks continue at CapitolThe topic of tax cuts was brought up first during Thursday's meeting. Stitt said instead of cutting income taxes by 0.25%, he'd like to prioritize a flat tax bracket and argued it would eliminate income taxes for the poorest Oklahomans.The Senate and House, however, are still far apart on the matter. The House argued that their math shows the state has money, and the Senate said the House's math doesn't add up.On top of that, the meeting seemed dysfunctional. The Senate and House spent a lot of time arguing over communication and, at times, fought over who emailed whom and when emails were sent.Top Headlines Storms bring quick hailfall to Norman area Search for missing man continues after EF4 tornado devastates Barnsdall Car flips and catches fire during chase in northwest OKC; 2 suspects arrested Darci Lynne stalking case highlights crime's prevalence, resources available WATCH: Alligator swipes fish from teen's fishing line
OKLAHOMA CITY — Lawmakers and Gov. Kevin Stitt returned to the negotiating table on Thursday, marking his second meeting this week with House Speaker Charles McCall and Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat to hammer out Oklahoma's budget for next year.
It was difficult to find anything the House and Senate agreed on. They couldn't even agree on where they were in terms of a starting point for negotiations.
Treat remains optimistic, but he said he didn't expect a deal anytime soon.
"We'll still be here until May 31. I think you'll see us make good-faith progress, but I don't anticipate walking out singing 'Kumbaya,'" Treat said.
| MORE | Tax cuts continue to be topic of conversation as budget talks continue at Capitol
The topic of tax cuts was brought up first during Thursday's meeting. Stitt said instead of cutting income taxes by 0.25%, he'd like to prioritize a flat tax bracket and argued it would eliminate income taxes for the poorest Oklahomans.
The Senate and House, however, are still far apart on the matter. The House argued that their math shows the state has money, and the Senate said the House's math doesn't add up.
On top of that, the meeting seemed dysfunctional. The Senate and House spent a lot of time arguing over communication and, at times, fought over who emailed whom and when emails were sent.
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