Capitol Conversations As the end of this legislative session draws closer, my colleagues and I are laser-focused on finalizing a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The governor, Senate and House are all in agreement that we need to fast-track relief funding for cities and towns hit hard by the recent tornadoes.In a Monday budget summit that included Gov. Kevin Stitt and Senate and House leaders, all three parties agreed the state will appropriate at least $45 million to help Barnsdall, Sulphur, Marietta and other localities that are recovering and rebuilding after the tornadoes. Stitt and state emergency management authorities are working with federal officials to secure disaster assistance funds from FEMA that will cover the bulk of the emergency response costs and debris removal. But those federal dollars must be matched with some state or local funds. The governor has declared a state of emergency for Osage, Kay and Washington counties, which also triggered anti-price gouging laws. State officials submitted a request for FEMA assistance in Osage County on Wednesday, and I expect that request will be approved soon. This will allow residents to seek federal aid for property losses, home repairs and other eligible expenses related to the storm damage. I plan to visit Barnsdall this week to see the damage firsthand and offer my help. As a reminder, the American Red Cross has a disaster relief shelter open at the Osage County Fairgrounds. Also, reporting your storm damage at damage.ok.gov will help guide local and state relief efforts.State budget negotiations are ongoing, although the Senate and House seem to be at an impasse on the issue of tax cuts. The governor and the House want to cut state income taxes by 0.25%, which we did just a few years ago. Oklahoma is already a top 10 state for its low tax burden. We also started off this session by passing the largest tax cut in state history when we eliminated the state portion of the grocery sales tax. I feel strongly that another tax cut could put the state in a precarious financial situation.Senate budget estimates show the state only has about $35 million in recurring revenue remaining after our base expenses and covering the cost of the grocery tax cut this year. A 0.25% income tax cut would cost about $250 million annually. I would be willing to look at where proponents of the income tax ...
