WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rural public education and tax reform are two of the priorities for Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall and his Republican colleagues this legislative session.
McCall commented on the importance of the two issues during an interview with Hilliary Media Group at the Conservative Political Action Conference held in Washington, D.C.
The Speaker discussed the need to fund rural education at a higher level in order to allow tax credits for parents who choose private schools or homeschooling for their children. McCall said he and the state GOP want parents to be in the “driver’s seat” of their children’s education.
“This bill will be a win for every student, parent and teacher in Oklahoma,” he said.
The GOP-sponsored bill would provide a multiplier of funds for rural public schools, McCall said.
McCall also addressed tax reform as a major issue this legislative session and is optimistic it can pass through both the House and Senate and be signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt.
“We want to simplify the tax code, and this is an opportunity to do great things this year,” McCall said.
Other bills deemed important by McCall include issues surrounding economic development and maintaining freedoms and liberties for “all Oklahomans,” he said. McCall also said bills addressing federal government overreach will be considered this legislative session.
McCall was invited to speak at the conference about Oklahoma’s pension systems and how the state is investing the money people contribute to those systems. McCall said he wants to ensure safeguards are in place to protect the beneficiaries and that they receive the greatest returns on their investments.