It’s nice to finally have a governor with backbone.

Gov. Kevin Stitt, who is more of a businessman than a politician, stood up to the scheming Republican leaders of the Oklahoma Legislature and rejected their flawed state budget.

Stitt vetoed  parts of the $9.8 billion dollar state budget passed in May by the Oklahoma Legislature and is calling for a special session to increase tax relief.

Republican leaders provide a $75 “tax rebate” to Oklahomans. That is a meaningless gesture designed to help lawmakers get re-elected by buying votes.

Stitt wants genuine tax relief.

Stitt wants the grocery tax eliminated and the personal income tax rate to be reduced.

“Families across Oklahoma are suffering from record inflation caused by President Biden’s disastrous policies,” Stitt said. “Oklahomans are paying skyrocketing prices to feed their families and need relief right now, not a check for a tank of gas that will come in December.”

“Oklahoma is one of just 13 states that taxes groceries, and it most affects the people who can least afford it. Our strong fiscal discipline over the years has given us the ability to eliminate this tax and now is the right time to do it.”

Stitt said the move by the GOP leadership to send out rebate checks mirrored the policies of President Biden and was a waste of $181 million.

Republican leaders – but not all Republicans – are furious. After shutting Stitt out of the budget negotiations, they wanted him to throw up his hands and concede defeat.

He hasn’t and he will keep fighting for what’s best for Oklahomans despite political trickery.