OKLAHOMA CITY — After more than a month of acrimony, arguments and threats, Republican leaders in the Oklahoma Legislature signed off on nine pieces of legislation that will earmark $625 million for Oklahoma’s education system.
The bills now go to Governor Kevin Stitt for review.
In a media statement, House Speaker Charles McCall called the package historic.
“Every year, our constituents tell us they want to see additional investments into public education, and thanks to thoughtful budgeting, we have been able to direct historic levels of new money into our public schools this year,” McCall said. “With the implementation of this year’s education plan, the Legislature will have invested more funding into public education in the past five years than in the previous 27 years combined.”
The package includes:
• Senate Bill 1119 which allocates millions for longevity-based pay raises for all certified staff, ranging from a $3,000 increase for teachers with 0-4 years’ experience; $4,000 for 5 to 9 years; $5,000 for 10-14 years; and $6,000 for teachers employed 15 years or more.
• House Bill 2901 appropriates a recurring $500 million to the school funding formula to cover costs associated with SB 1119 and SB 1121.
• Senate Bill 1121 which provides six weeks’ paid maternity leave for teachers employed for at least a year.
• Senate Bill 1120 which earmarks $125 million to the Redbud Fund. This fund, the bill’s supporters said, will address property tax revenue disparities in districts with lower ad valorem bases to help meet basic infrastructure and maintenance needs – often districts in rural areas.
• Senate Bill 1118 which allocates $10 million for three-year literacy instructional team in the state Department of Education to assist school districts. The team, the bill’s author said, will assist teachers in recognizing the educational needs of students, with an additional emphasis on dyslexic students.
• House Bill 2903 which establishes a three-year school safety pilot program to provide every district with a school resource officer or security upgrades.
• House Bill 2904 allocates a one-time $150 million appropriation for HB 2903. Each school district will receive approximately $96,000 annually during the program.
Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat (R-Oklahoma City) said despite the monthlong fight, he valued the “transformative product” that came out of the process.
“We are making historic investments in public education, giving meaningful teacher pay raises, delivering maternity leave, making critical investments for school safety, and delivering choice for kids and parents in Oklahoma,” he said.
In addition to the education package, McCall also released his hold on House Bill 1934, which authorizes about $200 million in tax credits for parents who send their children to private schools or who educate them at home.
Earlier this month Treat held the bill on a motion to reconsider – a procedural maneuver which allowed Treat to maintain control of the bill and prevent it from being sent to the governor’s office. With his hold released, HB 1934 will be sent to the governor.
Democrats, however, were less than enamored with the package.
Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd (D-Oklahoma City) said tying education funding to an unpopular voucher scheme wasn’t the solution Oklahoma families were seeking.
“Our kids need individualized attention from their teachers, guaranteed breakfast and lunch, and support when they are going through hard times,” she said. “This proposal does not meet those needs.”
Stitt, who has already vetoed more than 40 pieces of legislation this session, is expected to sign the package.
With only a week remaining in the 2023 session, lawmakers still have to finalize a plan to spend $12.7 billion – one of the largest budgets in state history. Those measure are expected to be finalized this week.
In addition, the Legislature called itself into special session, which gives them the opportunity to override any last-minute gubernatorial vetoes.
The regular session of the 59th Oklahoma Legislature adjourns at 5 p.m. Friday, May 26.