OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma House Democrats released the following statement in response to Gov. Kevin Stitt and legislative Republicans announcing their state budget for Fiscal Year 2022.

“Budgets are a product of the priorities of their authors,” said House Minority Leader Emily Virgin. “Both Democrats and Republicans proposed tax cuts this week. Republicans focused on lowering the tax burden on corporations, while House Democrats focused on working Oklahomans and their families.

“Both Democrats and Republicans proposed savings. Democrats called for more than $300 million in savings, while Republicans called for $800 million.

“While an extra $500 million in savings sounds nice, our citizens are literally paying the price.

“With this money, we could end the state sales tax on groceries, which would save Oklahomans more than $250 million per year. We could do this and restore and increase the Earned Income Tax Credit, which puts money directly back into the pocket of Oklahoma workers.

“Finally, we can not in good conscience vote for any budget that sends $25 million of hard-earned taxpayer money to private schools. ”