I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! As we set our sights on 2024, let's reflect on the blessings in our lives. We have so much to be thankful for.
With the new year starting, the next legislative session is right around the corner, and we are working to make sure we are ready.
The second regular session of the 59th Oklahoma Legislature convenes on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. However, our deadline to request the drafting of House Bills and Joint Resolutions was Dec. 8.
House members can only run eight bills per year, except for certain members of leadership like the House Speaker and budget chair. I plan to share more about the bills I am running later.
For the upcoming session, House Speaker Charles Mc-Call has filed several bills for personal income tax cuts, including:
• HB2948,whichproposes a corporate income tax phase out over five years.
• HB2949,whichproposes a flat rate 4.25% personal income tax effective Jan. 1, 2024; rate imposed on taxable income amounts above specific figures based on filing status.
• HB 2950 – .25% personal income tax decrease effective Jan. 1, 2024, and following tax years.
• HB 2951 – .25% personal income tax decrease for 2024 and 2025, with rates to restore to current level (current rates and brackets) for 2026, and following tax years.
• HB 2952 – .50% personal income tax decrease for 2024 and 2025, with rates to restore to current level (current rates and brackets) for 2026, and following tax years.
I recognize the ongoing impact of federal economic policies and will continue to advocate for tax cuts for Oklahomans.
I hope you and your loved ones had a happy and safe holiday, and I look forward to serving my constituents in the coming year. Here's to a great year for all of us!
Again, thank you for electing me to serve District 49. It is truly an honor and privilege to represent you at the State Capitol. Please do not hesitate to contact me at 405-557-7383 or josh. cantrell@okhouse.gov.
Rep. Josh Cantrell, a Republican, serves District 49 Oklahoma House of Representatives, which covers Carter, Love and Marshall counties.