OKLAHOMA CITY (April 11, 2025)— Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs President Jonathan Small today praised members of the Oklahoma Senate for voting to put the state income tax on a gradual path to full repeal.

“The income tax is a tax on work and investment, which makes it more harmful to economic growth and job creation than most taxes,” Small said. “Research has long shown that states with no income tax are outperforming states that tax work, and many other states are now moving to get rid of their income tax. Yesterday’s vote in the Oklahoma Senate sends a strong message that Oklahoma remains a place where growth and prosperity are prioritized.

“The bill is now only one vote away from going to the governor’s desk, and members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives have already overwhelmingly supported this legislation in a prior vote,” Small continued. “The bill’s authors and legislative leaders deserve praise for making it a priority to put the state income tax on a path to zero, and the many lawmakers who have voted for this bill deserve our thanks.”

House Bill 1539, by state Rep. Mark Lepak and state Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, would cut Oklahoma’s 4.75-percent personal income-tax rate by a quarter point each time that net state revenue increases by at least $300 million, continuing the process until the tax is completely repealed.

HB 1539 passed the Oklahoma Senate on a 36-9 vote yesterday. It now returns to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where the legislation previously passed on a 76-20 vote.