Oklahoma – Governor Kevin Stitt praised a recent Oklahoma Supreme Court decision in Stroble v. Oklahoma Tax Commission, calling it a “big win” for equal treatment under the law and the future of the state.
The ruling rejected race-based tax exemptions and narrowed the scope of the McGirt v. Oklahoma decision, which had previously reshaped aspects of criminal jurisdiction in tribal lands. The court reaffirmed that all Oklahomans, regardless of tribal affiliation, must be treated equally when it comes to state taxation.
“From day one, I’ve fought to make sure every Oklahoman is treated equally,” said Stitt. “Tribal governments, liberal groups, and some elected officials have pushed for special tax exemptions that would create a two-tiered system — one set of rules for tribal citizens and another for everyone else. That’s wrong. It would divide our state and weaken the public services every family relies on.”
The governor emphasized that the decision prevents an expansion of the McGirt ruling into civil and tax matters, reaffirming the state’s authority in these areas.
“This ruling makes it clear that attempts to expand McGirt into civil and tax matters have no basis in the law,” Stitt added. “We are one Oklahoma. And as long as I’m Governor, we aren’t going backwards.”
The decision is likely to fuel ongoing debates surrounding tribal sovereignty, taxation, and the broader implications of the McGirt precedent in state law.
