Economy

Back in July we heard news that Oklahoma Legislators were working to end the sales tax on groceries. At that time they announced that they would be conducting a study to see what the possible impacts would be both positively and negatively for the state. Well they've done their research and it's looking like they'll be moving forward with it. Lawmakers will be meeting very soon to draft legislation to end the grocery sales tax.

You could be unintentionally and unknowingly funding anti gun causes and companies with your purchases and who you're doing business with. The CCRKBA (Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms) has created a list of 200 businesses and corporations that are using the money you're spending with them to help fund gun control. You may be surprised at some of the names on this list, I know I was.

You've probably heard all the rumors about a new Taco Bell coming to Lawton, Fort Sill over the past several months. Well, good news it's all true!

This past Friday (08-06-21) Oklahoma District Judge Anthony Bonner Jr. ordered the state to resume the additional Federal unemployment benefits in Oklahoma that are a part of the "American Rescue Plan."

You've probably heard all the rumors over the past several months about a new shopping center on N.W. Cache Road in Lawton. So what's being built there?

Well, that didn't take too long. There's a new scam in Lawton, Fort Sill. It's seems like as soon as a scam is identified, another quickly takes it's place. This time around it's counterfeit money, so be on the look out for fake $100 bills. Several local and area businesses have reported receiving these counterfeit bills. LPD (Lawton Police Department) have confirmed this and are warning business owners and people in general to be very careful when dealing with cash transactions.

Today's the day. The Federal stimulus child tax credit payments starting going out early this morning. I check my account and have received an additional $250.00 from the I.R.S. So if you haven't checked your account yet, you might want to see if you got yours. The payments will continue every month through December 2021 with the remainder of the tax credit applied to your 2021 income taxes. Basically you'll be getting half now, half latter.

A lawsuit has been filed against the Executive Director of the OESC (Oklahoma Employment Security Commission) that challenges all the changes Oklahoma made to the additional Federal unemployment aide in the state. Last month on (06-26-21) Governor Kevin Stiit ended the extra $300 weekly payments that people on unemployment were receiving and instead used the money to fund a back to work cash incentive.

Tomorrow (07-14-21) Apache Casino Hotel will be hosting a job fair from 1:00pm until 5:00pm in the event center. If you're currently looking for employment or a career change don't miss this opportunity. They're looking to fill several positions and have all kinds of different opportunities available. Imagine working at "Your Happy Place" and being a team member at Apache Casino Hotel. Plus they have great benefits and bonus plans too!

If you haven't done so already apply online for the Oklahoma $1,200 "Back to Work" incentive payment if you've recently found employment. Back in May Governor Kevin Stitt along with representatives from the OESC (Oklahoma Employment Security Commission) announced that they would be cancelling the extra weekly $300 unemployment Federal benefit/payments.

The state of Oklahoma is considering doing away with the sales tax on groceries. At this time the Sooner State is only one of thirteen states that still puts a sales tax on groceries, it's around 4.5%. So most of the country isn't taxing people for grocery items, although some states still tax ready made food items. While 4.5% doesn't sound like a lot it would definitely help a lot of Oklahomans when it comes to their grocery bill.

The child tax credit monthly payments will start next month on July 15th (07-15-21). It's a part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 signed by President Joe Biden. Families with children ages 5 and under will receive $3,600 and $3,000 for children ages 6-17. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 increased the standard child tax credit for 2021 from $2,000 to $3,000 and up to $3,600 for families with kids 5 and under for each child.