Looking Ahead to Session

The House has finally wrapped up our bill filing deadline, and I've filed 14 bills that aim to address various issues impacting our district and the state of Oklahoma.

I will delve into the specifics of these bills in future articles, but first I want to share more about the legislative process, the odds that bills face of becoming law, and the upcoming special session right before our regular session begins.

With so many bills filed in both the House and Senate, it's important to keep in mind that past history tells us less than 10% of these bills will be signed into law. While certain bills may grab statewide headlines, the process of turning a bill into a law is a tough one. I am always glad to hear feedback from my constituents on proposed policies because it helps me be more informed about the needs and wishes of House District 51, but I caution against getting overly excited or upset at this early point in the process.

One headline you might have seen recently is the news that Governor Stitt has called the Legislature into special session to pass a 0.25% income tax break for all Oklahomans. Our state has meticulously saved over the past six years, and we now have approximately $5 billion in savings and an anticipated budget surplus this upcoming year. I previously supported a similar 0.25% income tax break and am once again planning to wholeheartedly vote in favor of this measure during special session, which, if passed, would reduce our individual income tax rate down from 4.75% to 4.5%.

Even after this tax break takes effect, Oklahoma will still boast its largest savings account in state history, which provides a crucial buffer in the face of potential economic downturns.

I know my constituents have dealt with huge inflation over the past couple of years due to President Biden's policies, so it's important to me that we give Oklahomans much-needed tax relief at the state level when possible.

The data shows that despite reducing the state individual income tax rate from 7% to its current 4.75% over the past 20 years, revenue collections have consistently increased. When Oklahomans have more money in their pockets, they will spend it and the economy will continue to grow.

Our special session has been called for Monday, Jan. 29, and the regular session is set to begin on Feb. 5. The next few months will be a critical time to address many issues facing our state, and I hope that the upcoming sessions will result in positive outcomes for House District 51 and the entire state.

Thank you all for the honor of representing you and House District 51 at the State Capitol -- God bless!

Rep. Brad Boles represents District 51 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes Grady and Stephens Counties.