Reactions roll in over Gov. Stitt's school choice compromise proposal

Governor Kevin Stitt's proposal to break the legislative impasse over school choice legislation is being met with a wide range of reactions.

Read below for statements from:

• House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka (cautiously positive)
• Oklahoma Farm Bureau (positive)
• House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-OKC (negative)
• Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Edmond (somewhat negative)

Gov. Stitt calls for compromise, proposes plan to break education reform stalemate

Can Governor Stitt find a middle ground for House Speaker McCall and Senate Pro Tem Treat to come to? He's giving it his best shot. We'll see how it goes.

GOVERNOR STITT CALLS FOR COMPROMISE, PROPOSES THE OKLAHOMA EDUCATION AND PARENTAL CHOICE PLAN

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 21, 2023) - Governor Kevin Stitt today unveiled his proposed education reform compromise, the Oklahoma Education and Parental Choice Plan, after weeks of meetings with House and Senate leadership, Speaker Charles McCall, Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, and members of both chambers.

State Senate approves $700M education package

I'm posting this somewhat delayed due to having been swamped with work, but this was the biggest thing to come out of the legislature last week:

Senate Approves Historic Education Funding Package

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 30th) - The Oklahoma State Senate today gave passage to its historic $700 million education package. 

Senators voted overwhelmingly on both measures 40 – to – 7 on House Bill 1935 and 46 – to – 2 on House Bill 2775, approving the single largest appropriations increase to education in state history, sending it back to the House of Representatives. 

State House approves major education funding and tax credit measures

House Education Plan Moves to Senate

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved a two-part plan by Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, to provide a $500 million investment to public education and create the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act.

Speaker McCall, House GOP releases plan with $500M increase to education funding, plus private/homeschool tax credit

Over the past few years, the House and Senate have been at odds in many regards on education reform, particularly given the Senate's emphasis on vouchers for school choice. On Thursday, House Speaker Charles McCall and members of the House GOP caucus released a broad education plan that includes $500M for public schools (including a $2,500 teacher pay raise), plus a tax credit framework for private school and homeschool students.

I haven't studied this in detail yet, but homeschoolers generally are less opposed to the idea of tax credits, whereas straight vouchers draw much more severe opposition over the greater threat of regulation/intrusion. We'll have to see what the particulars are on this proposal.

Here's the official press release on the House GOP education plan:

House Republicans Announce Education Plan

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Republicans on Thursday announced an education plan designed for every student, parent and teacher in the state.