Small: Session will reap benefit for years

Session will reap benefit for years

By Jonathan Small

Academic outcomes in Oklahoma’s public school system have been among the worst in the nation for years. But this year’s legislative session alters that trajectory and the full benefit will become apparent over time.

One of the most important actions taken this year was passage of Senate Bill 1778, which effectively requires that students read at least on a second-grade level before beginning the fourth grade, or face retention in the third grade. The new law also provides for intensive early intervention for struggling students in the first through third grades.

Based on state testing results, just 27 percent of Oklahoma third graders read at or above grade level, and National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) tests show that only 23 percent of Oklahoma fourth-grade students scored at or above proficient in 2024. Only two states did worse.

Fallin signs hotel/motel tax repeal, opposes removing capital gains exemption

Governor Mary Fallin Signs Legislation Repealing Hotel/Motel Tax

Measures to make up revenue from proposed tax also signed into law

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today signed House Bill (HB) 1012XX, which repeals a $5 tax on hotel and motel rooms, and two other bills that are estimated to replace the revenue to help fund teacher pay raises and increased education funding.

Fallin signed HB 3375, which allows tribal casinos to use traditional roulette and dice games, which were specifically prohibited since a 2004 vote of the people. Exclusivity fees generated by the change will put substantial additional dollars into education.

The governor also signed HB 1019XX, which will require third-party online retailers to collect and remit sales tax back to state coffers. It will affect purchases made through sites like Amazon, when the seller is someone other than Amazon. It is estimated to bring in about $20.5 million for public schools.

The House of Representatives and Senate voted to repeal the hotel-motel tax, which was included in a larger revenue package, HB 1010XX. That bill raised a variety of revenue to pay for an average $6,100 teacher pay raise – the largest teacher pay increase in state history – and added $50 million in new revenue for textbooks and school supplies.

“The revenue package that funded the teacher pay raises would not have passed the Senate with the required super majority, or three-fourths support, had a bipartisan agreement not been struck to repeal the hotel/motel tax,” Fallin said.

The governor and the Legislature have worked diligently to pass historic funding measures for K-12 public education.

Fallin last month signed HB 1010XX, part of an historic revenue package to fund pay raises for teachers. The package allows for a $6,100, or 16 percent, pay raise on average for Oklahoma teachers. It moves Oklahoma’s teacher pay up from the lowest, in average teacher pay, to second in the seven-state region and up to 29th from 49th nationally. Oklahoma’s teacher-pay ranking improves to 12th in the nation when adjusted for cost of living.

Last week, the governor signed the $2.9 billion appropriation bill for common education for the upcoming 2019 fiscal year. The funding marks the largest amount ever appropriated in Oklahoma for K-12 public education and a 19.7 percent increase over the $2.4 billion appropriation bill for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.

The $2.9 billion education funding contained in HB 3705 includes an additional $353.5 million for teacher pay; $52 million for support personnel pay: $33 million for textbooks: $17 million for the state aid formula; and $24.7 million for flex health care benefits.

“This shows again that education is a priority with legislative leaders and me,” said Fallin. “The single-most important thing we can do to help Oklahomans have fulfilling and productive lives is improving the quality and outcomes of education.”

Fallin said today’s action should complete funding K-12 public schools for the 2019 fiscal year. She encouraged legislators to turn attention now on other issues, such as criminal justice, and address the financial needs of other core services, such as public safety and health and human services, in finishing work on the 2019 fiscal year budget.

The governor made it clear she supports the voters’ decision in a 2004 statewide election of encouraging investment in Oklahoma through the capital gains tax deduction.

The capital gains tax deduction, which was a tax reform measure approved in a statewide vote in 2004, is an exemption from capital gains taxes for property and business located in the state of Oklahoma. The idea was to increase the incentive for people to invest in Oklahoma, and to put Oklahoma properties and businesses on an equal footing with other states.

Fallin Signs $2.9B Common Ed Appropriation, State Employee Pay Raise

Caption (provided): Governor Mary Fallin signs House Bill 3705, the $2.9 billion appropriation bill for common education for the upcoming 2019 fiscal year. The amount authorized in the measure is a 19.7 percent increase over the $2.4 billion appropriation bill for K-12 public education for the current fiscal year.

Governor Mary Fallin Signs $2.9 Billion Funding Measure for Public Schools

Bills providing pay increases for school support staff, state employees also approved

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today signed the $2.9 billion appropriation bill for common education for the upcoming 2019 fiscal year. The funding authorized in House Bill (HB) 3705 marks a 19.7 percent increase over the $2.4 billion appropriation bill for K-12 public education for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.

This is only the second time that legislators approved an appropriation bill for public schools by the required April 1 education funding deadline since 2003 when the requirement was put in place.

“I’m pleased to sign this bill that provides a significant increase in spending for our public school system,” said Fallin. “I’m hoping this additional funding will result in improved K-12 public school results. Our job as a state is to empower our students, parents and teachers to succeed by setting the bar high and challenging each other to succeed.

“Improving the quality and outcomes in education is the single-most important thing we can do to attract and retain jobs, alleviate poverty, and help Oklahomans have fulfilling and productive lives,” she said. “For many, education is the best and only path out of poverty.”

The $2.9 billion funding contained in HB 3705 includes $353.5 million for teacher pay; $52 million for support personnel pay: $33 million for textbooks: $17 million for the state aid formula; and $24.7 million for flex health care benefits.

The total increase in common education funding for the 2019 fiscal year is $480.2 million.

Fallin also signed HB 1026XX, which provides a $1,250 annual increase in pay for school support personnel.

In addition, the governor signed HB 1024XX, which provides a tiered pay raise for state employees. State workers earning $40,000 or less would get a $2,000 raise; those being paid $40,000 to $50,000 would get a $1,500 raise. Meanwhile, those making $50,000 - $60,000 would get a $1,000 raise and those earning $60,000 or more would get a $750 raise.

All three measures take effect July 1, the start of the state’s 2019 fiscal year.