The House passed HB3693 which would grant Oklahoma veterans a full tax exemption on retirement benefits they receive as a result of their service. Under the legislation, veterans would receive a 100% tax exemption on their retirement benefits, beginning Jan. 1, 2023. Currently, veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces receive tax exemptions for up to…
The House passed House Joint Resolution 1047 by Rep. Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City, that would freeze the assessed value of a home when it comes to ad valorem taxes for Oklahomans when they reach the age of 65. Manger said, “By freezing this valuation, Oklahomans 65 and older can more properly budget their fixed incomes…
The House passed HB3371 by Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, that would grant an income tax credit for caregivers. It would create an income tax credit equal to half of the expenses of providing care for an older loved who is certified to need help with at least two activities of daily living. The non-refundable…
The House passed HB3146 that would authorize a vote of the people on a proposal that could permanently end Daylight Savings Time in Oklahoma. Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, said Oklahomans would vote on a statutory amendment that if approved would lock the clock on Central Standard Time in Oklahoma and do away with the twice-yearly…
The Senate approved two bills authored by Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, that would change how the state collects sales tax on vehicle purchases and how long citizens have to register that new purchase. SB1486 would modify the formula used to calculate how much sales tax is owed on the purchase of a vehicle. Under current…
Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, passed a bill out of the House that would disallow the state of Oklahoma to contract with any company that discriminates against the firearms industry. “This is a constitutionally protected industry, and the majority of Oklahomans are very much in favor of protecting Second Amendment rights,” West said. “Yet there are…
A host of bills concerning public education were advanced this month in the Oklahoma Legislature. The Senate passed Senate Bill 1126 by Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, to give schools more flexibility in how and when they spend general carryover funds. “We must stop penalizing our local districts for being fiscally responsible and wanting to save…
Early voting for the April 5 election begins March 31, according to Tulsa County Election Board Secretary Gwen Freeman. Early voting is open to all voters. “You do not need to provide an excuse to vote early,” Freeman said. “Oklahoma allows early voting for all elections conducted through the State Election Board – from school…
The Oklahoma State Department of Education added new data to the Oklahoma School Report Card. The additions, required under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, include data on teacher qualifications and information from the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC). The CRDC measures student access to courses, programs, staff and resources that impact education “equity” and…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – “You are what you eat” may not be as simple as it sounds. Health advocates are bound to offer that piece of advice no matter how old you are. Parents are apt to warn their kids that junk food is a definite no-no. And when you arrive at the point in your…