Oklahoma lawmakers on both sides of the aisle want to remove a tax on groceries. The state is one of six in the nation that fully taxes groceries, but Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, and House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman, want to change that.
Right now, Oklahomans must pay the full 4.5% state sales tax on groceries, plus applicable local taxes. However, there is a sales tax relief credit for low-income residents.
Roberts previously filed House Bill 2844 last session and is advocating for its passage again this session.
"We currently have a surplus in funds [in Oklahoma] and revenues are up, so now is the time to bring this much-needed relief to Oklahoma families," Roberts said in a news release.
Virgin has filed House Bill 3621. According to the Democratic leader, the difference between her bill and Roberts' is that his calls for a vote of the people and hers does not.
"Most Americans live in an area where there isn’t a state tax on groceries. Oklahomans can too," Virgin said in a press release last year after conducting a study examining the benefits of ending the state sales tax on groceries.
The proposed legislation will be considered during the upcoming legislative session, which begins Feb. 7.
