COMMENTARY
pizza tax
(Mike Allen)

It appears groceries are about to get a little cheaper. Well, most of them anyway.

After weeks of discussion, the Oklahoma State Senate decided to send House Bill 1955, passed in the House last year, to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s desk.

When Stitt signs the measure Monday, it will eliminate the state’s portion of sales tax on groceries. This momentous tax cut seems like a win for just about everyone, except for one special group: People who love pizza and beer.

HB 1955 says that “prepared” foods and alcoholic beverages will still be taxed, and those two items apparently fall within those categories. The bill defines groceries as “food and food ingredients,” which I suppose implies that pizza is neither of those things? While the frozen variety may not exactly be gourmet, the omission seems a little harsh. The same can be said of “alcoholic beverages” such as beer, which is basically liquid bread in my book. HB 1955 says otherwise, however, much to my dismay. Now that I think about it, it seems lawmakers just inadvertently created a beer and pizza tax.

So, I guess I’m now beginning my journey to make pizza from scratch. Who knows, maybe brewing my own beer is on the table as well? In all seriousness, this bill appears to cover a wide range of items that will add up to some decent savings over the course of a year. But if I want to maximize the opportunity, I guess it’s time for a diet change.

Past Sundaze comics

Boardwalk at Bricktown serves up hot pie in the sky
Pass the pizza rolls? Special session a lame pre-party
Will Edmond NIMBYs unite against the earthquakes?
Just the sip: ABLE Commission mixes a bitter beverage
Hello, 2024: Cheers to another year of art imitating life
Ooops, Santa left his tax exempt certificate at home
Despite OKC restaurants closing, keep a positive palate
Personal fowl: Switzer blitzes Stitt on rooster rumbles
Sen. Markwayne Mullin takes his fight and bite national
Stitt antes up for February fight on sports betting
Bad luck Halloween: The rainy trick spoiling your treats
New OKC Thunder arena election may not be a layup
The water meter spins at the Edmond aquatic center
Ryan Walters explores new math with budget request
Endless consumption: Pac-Man popular in Oklahoma
Cheers to 8 years of (sometimes political) cartoons
What to do when there’s no room at the Edmond inn?
Behold, OU students: Lindsey Street tailgating returns
PAC 12 implosion continues conference realignment
The Earth must be quite a pothole for UFOs
American Heartland Theme Park raises some eyebrows
Sick of Stitt hammering the machine, Drummond seeks a spin
Introducing a Razr-thin margin of plausible deniability
Bright future: OKC Thunder rookies ready to get to work
Blockbuster: Oklahoma weather presents DVD-size hail
Uncommon ground in Edmond: No art of compromise?
Stitt knows how to get, how to get to Override Street
Former Justice Steven Taylor broke open a tie ballgame
Welcome to the whirlwind of graduation season
All aboard? Coordinating an Edmond, Norman, OKC commuter rail vote

  • Mike Allen is a graphic designer, painter, printer and tailor. He has a fine art degree from the University of Oklahoma.

  • Mike Allen is a graphic designer, painter, printer and tailor. He has a fine art degree from the University of Oklahoma.