Oklahoma Republicans' $12 billion budget proposal seeks tax relief and infrastructure upgrades, but concerns Democrats

Gov. Kevin Stitt unveiled a budget plan Wednesday afternoon with Republican lawmakers.

They say the budget is aimed at cutting taxes, investing in key infrastructure, and making Oklahoma more business-friendly, while Democrats say they were concerned about what's not in the bill.

What's in the plan

This more than twelve billion dollar plan includes a quarter-point income tax cut. The governor says the budget is all about staying competitive with other states.

Stitt says Oklahoma has cut a billion dollars in taxes since he took office, and with his term nearly over, he says he isn't stopping.

"We talked about getting a tax cut done, giving some relief to Oklahoma, and staying up with the competition and what other states around us are doing," said Gov. Stitt.

Funding infrastructure

The budget proposal released today also includes funds for a new veterinary hospital at OSU in Stillwater and a pediatric heart hospital at OU in Oklahoma City.

Republican House Speaker Kyle Hilbert says both are essential to the state.

"Getting to see the work that they do there, truly transformational work that they do there for Oklahoma," said Hilbert.

Democratic response

Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt says she's more concerned with what's left out of the budget than what's in it, saying, "It's not focused on working families, it's not focused on solving the problems we have in public schools, and it doesn't solve the problems around healthcare and access to healthcare."

Senator Kirt says her caucus was not included in the budget discussion. The governor says this process is about compromise.

“If you could get 80% what you want, then it's a good deal. And so this isn't a it's not a governor's budget, it's not a house budget, it's not a Senate budget, but it is the best budget that we put together to make Oklahoma a top 10 state in the most business friendly state and take care of some priorities that are really important to Oklahomans,” said Gov. Stitt.

The legislative package released on Wednesday would also allow some businesses to create their own power plants.

Lawmakers have until the end of the month to pass a budget.