BY MICKEY THOMPSON

I applaud Senate GOP leadership for standing firm against Governor Grandstand in his latest manufactured tiff over potential tax cuts.

Stitt is trying desperately to position himself as champion of the little guy. Such bunk from this rarest of species – a populist in an Armani suit – who has spent four years trying to convert public tax dollars into a private school tuition giveaway for his rich donors and friends.

I believe he would truly prefer not to use the nearly $2 billion in federal relief money. I guess he’d rather Texas get the funds designated for us?

The idea of reducing or eliminating the state sales tax on groceries is important enough to either stand or fall on its own policy and political merits, so what sense does it make to try to leverage it against every pony in the parade?

Yes, sadly, I can answer my own question: It’s a campaign publicity stunt from the guy who promised Top 10 status but hates public schools, Native American tribes and any state program where he can’t finagle a way for his cronies to make a buck, or a million, off the taxpayer.

Imagine that.

Oklahoma City resident Mickey Thompson is a retired journalist, lobbyist and self-described political gadfly.