Oklahoma Legislature approves $40 million in new revenue for education

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Friday approved measures that will send millions of new dollars into Oklahoma classrooms.

The Senate gave approval to HB 1019xx, a bill that requires online marketplaces like Amazon to collect and remit sales tax to Oklahoma or comply with the state’s notification requirements. The Oklahoma Tax Commission estimates the bill will generate $20.5 million annually.

“The Oklahoma Senate has shown repeatedly its commitment to students and teachers first by passing the largest teacher pay raise in state history and now by approving measures providing millions of dollars in new funding for Oklahoma classrooms,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz, R-Altus.

The Oklahoma Senate last week approved a teacher pay raise bill, giving Oklahoma teachers a $6,100 pay raise on average. The pay raise bill already has been signed into law. To fund the teacher pay raises and provide millions of dollars in funding for textbooks and teacher health care benefits, the Senate also gave approval to revenue measures generating $530 million in new, recurring revenue to fully and perpetually fund the raises and increased education spending.

“Increasing average teacher pay in Oklahoma to the second-highest in our region and putting more dollars into the classroom will help us retain and recruit quality, professional educators to help our students and our state succeed. As we move forward, the Senate stands committed to considering additional ways to put more dollars into our classrooms, as wells as reforms that best serve students, parents and teachers,” Schulz said.

The Senate on Friday also gave approval to HB 3375, the so-called “ball and dice” gaming bill. For the current fiscal year, the Oklahoma Tax Commission cannot certify revenue generated by this bill. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services, the state’s gaming compliance agency, anticipates the measure will bring new revenue into the state.

Last week, the Oklahoma Senate approved the FY’19 education budget bill, only the second time the April 1 “Fund Education First” deadline has been met by the Legislature. The education budget, which has been signed into law, allocates more than $2.9 billion to Oklahoma schools, a 19 percent increase from the previous year.

Joy Hofmeister, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, made the following remarks today after the passage in the Senate of House Bill 1019XX and House Bill 3375, which will add nearly $40 million in dedicated funding to common education:

“What we have seen at the Capitol this past week has been groundbreaking. Over the past several days, it has been my privilege to engage hundreds of teachers in face-to-face conversations and to witness firsthand their tireless advocacy to ensure that their students and classrooms have the resources for learning.

“On the heels of landmark legislation signed into law just last week, common education now has received an infusion of nearly $500 million in new revenue. I am grateful for the bipartisan efforts of legislators who have done the right thing to reverse a decade of funding challenges that failed to keep pace with student enrollment and need. The legislation passed this week is tremendous progress, but our students and their education will require continued investment and advocacy for years to come.

“Teachers, your stories have been heard at the Capitol and across the nation. These gains are the result of your fight for kids. I know your hearts are in the classroom. I am inspired by your years of dedication, humbled by your sacrifices and proud of your accomplishments.”