Tax cut will benefit all Oklahomans

The first month of this legislative session has been a flurry of activity at the state Capitol from committee meetings to voting on bills on the Senate floor.

One of our top accomplishments so far this year has been to pass a tax cut that will benefit all Oklahomans. I was proud to vote for a bill that will eliminate the state portion of the grocery sales tax, a bipartisan measure the governor quickly signed into law late last month. Oklahomans across the state will immediately see the benefits at the supermarket when the new law takes effect this August.

The Senate Appropriations Committee recently passed one of my bills to provide grant funding for small businesses who are looking to explore research and development in three key industry areas. Senate Bill 1309 would earmark $1 million for grants for businesses looking to explore the aerospace, life sciences and energy diversification industries. Eligible businesses will have to put up a dollar-for-dollar match in order to qualify. I look forward to this bill and others receiving a vote on the Senate floor in the coming days.

Senators are poised to vote on hundreds of bills in advance of a March 14 deadline for bills to be heard in their chamber of origin. After that deadline, Senate bills will move to the House for consideration and House bills will move to my chamber. We also will vote this month on a proposed state budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which will allow our budget leaders to begin negotiating with the House on spending priorities.

My days at the Capitol remain busy, but talking to my constituents is always the highlight of my week. I recently got to visit with some of the brightest young minds from my district when students involved with Future Farmers of America and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America visited the state Capitol. I’m always here to serve the people of Senate District 31.

Thank you again for the privilege of serving our district and the state of Oklahoma in the Senate. If I can be of any assistance, you can reach me at (405) 521-5563 or Chris.Kidd@oksenate.gov.