Stitt supports eliminating grocery tax in annual address

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is kicking off the 2022 legislative session with his annual State of the State speech.

The first-term Republican hit on some expected themes, including improving Oklahoma's health care, education and business climate.

But Stitt also embraced a longtime goal of Democrats — eliminating the state sales tax on groceries.

Although the Legislature will have record-high revenue to spend on the budget, more than $10 billion, Stitt and legislative leaders are predicting relatively flat spending levels.

RELATED STORY: Several bills to watch as Oklahoma legislative session begins

There also is expected to be some divisions among Republicans in the Legislature over vaccine mandates and loosening restrictions on guns.