Speaker McCall appoints Rep. Baker to national education policy group

Speaker McCall Appoints Rep. Baker to Serve on National Education Policy Organization

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House of Representatives Speaker Charles McCall has appointed House Education Committee Chair Rhonda Baker to serve on the Education Commission of the States (ECS), a national organization that develops education policy ideas and provides state-by-state research for policymakers.

“I am very honored to join the Education Commission of the States and represent Oklahoma on a national stage,” said Rep. Baker, R-Yukon. “As a long-time public-school teacher, I understand our school system, and I know the challenges that our teachers and our students are dealing with. We need solutions that make our schools safer and more effective, that improve morale of teachers and administrators and, most importantly, that improve student outcomes. The Commission has a long history of proposing workable solutions that better our schools, and I am excited to join this organization and get to work.”

Rep. Baker, who was a public school teacher for nearly 20 years and holds a master’s degree in education, has served as chair of the House Education Committee since 2017.

“The Commission needs an education policy expert who has a vested interest in improving our school system,” said Speaker McCall, R-Atoka. “No one in the House of Representatives advocates for improving Oklahoma’s school system as well as Rep. Baker. She has devoted her entire career to teaching and shaping public education policies that make our schools better and improve student outcomes. She will be a fantastic addition to the Commission, and I am very thankful for her willingness to serve.”

The ECS is part of the Compact for Education. Oklahoma is a member of the Education of the States located in Denver, Colorado. The ECS provides a forum for all branches of government in the compact states to discuss educational policies.

According to the ECS website, “each state appoints seven commissioners who help guide our work and their own state’s education agendas; territorial appointments vary. Commissioners also have the authority to approve amendments to bylaws and provide strategic information to our staff regarding state education policy issues.”

Oklahoma’s current Commissioners include: Gov. Kevin Stitt and his proxy, Secretary of State Michael Rogers, Superintendent of Education Joy Hofmeister, State Regents for Higher Education Chancellor Glen Johnson, Board of Career and Technical Education Director Marcie Mack, state Sen. Jason Smalley and state Sen. Gary Stanislawski.

Gov-elect Stitt announces more staff, cabinet hires

GOVERNOR-ELECT KEVIN STITT ANNOUNCES CHIEF OF STAFF, SECRETARY OF STATE

Oklahoma City, Okla. (Nov. 27, 2018) – Governor-elect Kevin Stitt announced today the hiring of his Chief of Staff to the governor’s office, the nomination of the Secretary of State, and the appointment of Deputy Secretary of State.

“I am pleased to announce Michael Junk as my Chief of Staff and Michael Rogers as my nomination to Secretary of State. Both bring a strong background of building consensus among community leaders and policymakers to advance Oklahoma. I look forward to leveraging Michael Junk’s experience in public service to improve cohesion within all levels of government and advance our goal to be a Top Ten state,” said Governor-elect Kevin Stitt. “Michael Rogers played a leading role in securing an historic pay raise for Oklahoma’s teachers, and his time in leadership makes him uniquely qualified to work with the Legislature on my administration’s policy priorities. Donelle Harder has an excellent reputation for crafting messaging and policy priorities. She will work alongside both Junk and Rogers to place an emphasis on communicating with and listening to the people of Oklahoma.”

The announcements are as follows:

Michael Junk will serve as Chief of Staff to governor-elect Kevin Stitt. Michael Junk currently serves as the Deputy Mayor of the City of Tulsa, highly involved in transportation and infrastructure policy at the local level as well as economic development efforts for the City of Tulsa.  Prior to his role in City Hall, Junk served as the Campaign Manager for G.T. Bynum for Tulsa Mayor. From 2012 to 2016, Junk worked for U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe as State Policy Advisor and previously worked for U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn from 2007 to 2012. Junk currently serves as a member of the Governor’s Task Force for the Study of the Oklahoma Tax Code and on the boards of the Oklahoma Municipal League, the Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG) and the Tulsa Board of Appeals.

“I applaud Governor-elect Stitt on his choice of Michael Junk as Chief of Staff. As Tulsa’s Deputy Mayor, Michael worked hand in hand with me over the last two years to lead Tulsa’s turnaround. Now, he can use that experience and knowledge in service to a similar turnaround across the entire State of Oklahoma.”
– Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum

“Michael Junk will be an excellent Chief of Staff to the Governor. With prior service as the Deputy Mayor of Tulsa and as my former state policy advisor, he can navigate both state and federal government to accomplish the Governor-elect’s agenda.”
– U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe 

“As a former colleague and friend, I have witnessed Michael’s work across party lines to promote sound policy over partisan rhetoric. He will be a vital asset to the State of Oklahoma and will facilitate strong dialogue that will help move our state forward.”
– Former Tulsa Mayor and Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce Kathy Taylor

“I applaud Governor-Elect Stitt for his choice in Michael Junk. Michael has been a steadfast public servant and his expertise at the federal and local level will be instrumental in building a stronger state.”
– Former Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Gary Ridley

Michael Rogers has been selected to serve as Secretary of State, a position that will require Senate confirmation.  Rogers served in the House of Representatives from 2014-2018 representing Broken Arrow and District 98. As the Chair of the Common Education Committee, Rogers carried the teacher pay-raise bill last session and played a leadership role in the passage of HB1010xx to fund the teacher pay increase. He has also served on numerous national boards and commissions including the Southern Regional Education Board as well as the Education Commission of the States.

“Michael Rogers is an intelligent and innovative leader and his experience in the Legislature will be an asset to Governor-elect Stitt and his entire team. I look forward to working with Michael on common-sense, conservative ideas to help make Oklahoma a Top 10 state.”
– Senator Greg Treat, Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore-designate

"I believe Michael Rogers is an excellent choice to serve as Secretary of State. He has been a confidant and friend to me during the last four years in the Legislature, and he has served his district and all of Oklahoma with integrity and diligence. I am confident he will bring that same passion to serve our citizens and a desire to improve our state to Gov. Stitt's cabinet."
–  House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka

“Working across the aisle isn’t always easy, and while Michael Rogers and I haven’t always agreed on policy, he has been a man of strong character who is willing to listen to opposing viewpoints in his time in the legislature. It’s my belief he will bring a collaborative and thoughtful approach to the office of Secretary of State as we look to solve the problems facing our state.”
–  Rep. Jason Dunnington, D-Oklahoma City

“As a former state legislator, Michael Rogers is well equipped to serve as Oklahoma’s next Secretary of State. Given his prior government involvement, he knows well the policies and procedures necessary to be effective. As he takes on this new role as chief negotiator, I believe he will indeed serve our great state and incoming governor with distinction.”
– Congressman Tom Cole, the 26th Secretary of State

“Michael Rogers quickly displayed leadership among his House colleagues, earning their respect and leading his peers to achieve bipartisan accomplishments during a difficult time for the state. This is one of many reasons why he is an excellent choice to partner with the legislature to accomplish Governor Stitt’s agenda as Secretary of State.”
– Glenn Coffee, former Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore and the 30th Secretary of State

Donelle Harder will serve as Deputy Secretary of State, providing messaging strategy and policy counsel to the Governor and Secretary of State. Harder currently serves on Stitt’s executive transition team and served as Deputy Campaign Manager and spokesperson for Stitt for Governor 2018. Before joining the campaign, Harder was Vice President at the Oklahoma Oil and Gas Association and had previously served as Communications Director for U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe and for the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. She comes with more than 10 years of experience in political advising, strategic communications, and government relations.

“As my Communications Director, Donelle Harder refined a varied and wide-ranging agenda into concise, effective messaging and demonstrated an innate understanding of issues that matter to Oklahomans. She’s a strategic mastermind, and I’m confident that her background makes her the right choice to lead the Governor-elect’s messaging efforts and work with the state legislature.” – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe

“I am delighted to endorse Donelle Harder for the position of Deputy Secretary of State for the State of Oklahoma. Donelle is exceptionally bright, has had great experience in public policy at the state and federal level and is very accessible and responsive. She is a very quick study and works diligently to get complete information on a subject and then works well with others to make an intelligent and well thought out decision. Our state will benefit greatly from the leadership, intellectual curiosity and determination of Donelle Harder in this important role and as a key advisor to Governor Stitt.”
– Rodd Moesel, President of Oklahoma Farm Bureau

GOVERNOR-ELECT KEVIN STITT ANNOUNCES SECRETARY OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

Oklahoma City, Okla. (Nov. 28, 2018) – Governor-elect Kevin Stitt announced today the appointment of Kenneth Wagner as the next Secretary of Energy and Environment.

“I am pleased to announce that Ken Wagner will be joining my administration as the next Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment,” said Stitt. “Wagner is well respected among environment leaders, energy industry experts, and state regulators in neighboring states. He will play a critical role in advising my administration on policy that encourages robust and responsible development of our natural resources, ensures clean air and clear water for all Oklahomans, and makes our state an example for others to follow.”

Kenneth (Ken) Wagner currently serves as the Senior Advisor to the Administrator for Regional and State Affairs at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Prior to working at the EPA, Wagner served as founding partner and managing partner at the Tulsa law firm Latham, Wagner, Steele & Lehman, P.C. Wagner graduated from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 1993.


“During his time at EPA, Ken was at the forefront of our efforts to work more closely with states and tribes to ensure clean air, water, and land for all Americans. He traveled to nearly every state in the nation, strengthening existing relationships and forging important new ones. He helped provide our regional offices a direct and open line of communication to headquarters to address local issues in a comprehensive and unified manner. We are grateful for his service to EPA and the American public, and we know he will bring the same dedication and expertise to Oklahoma as he leads the state’s efforts to improve energy production and environmental protection.”
– Andrew Wheeler, EPA Acting Administrator 

“Ken Wagner provides a wealth of knowledge and a proven history as a senior adviser of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. We are pleased he will return to Oklahoma to serve as the Secretary of Energy & Environment. His experience in dealing with regulations regarding energy production will ensure our state continues to implement rational and reasonable policies that encourage the responsible production of Oklahoma’s oil and natural gas.”
- Chad Warmington, President of Oklahoma Oil & Gas Association

“AAPCA represents more than 40 state and local air agencies with senior officials from 20 state air agencies sitting on its Board of Directors and an additional 25 local agency members.  At our Spring 2018 meeting, Ken talked with us about his role and work at EPA to implement cooperative federalism by fostering effective EPA working relationships with states, tribes and local air agencies.  An effective EPA-state working relationship is key to helping each air agency address the unique challenges and opportunities that it faces to improve air quality.  AAPCA appreciated Ken's solution oriented focus and the fact that he actively listened to and engaged with our membership.”
- Nancy Vehr, President of the Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies 

“Ken Wagner has been an incredible advocate for advancing states issues with EPA.  He has embraced the concept Cooperative Federalism and provided states a direct line of communication to the leadership at EPA Headquarters and specifically to the Administrator.  While we will miss Ken in his role at EPA, Oklahoma gains a seasoned leader!  Nebraska and ECOS offer hearty Congratulations!”
-Jim Macy, Vice President of the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS)

“Arkansas is delighted to welcome Ken Wagner as the new Secretary of Energy and Environment for the State of Oklahoma. As a skilled state’s-rights advocate who has first-hand knowledge of the federal bureaucracy, Ken is uniquely qualified to assume this important role. I look forward to working with him as we strive to support efficient, effective, and environmentally protective economic development in our region through our trusted partnership on critical state-to-state initiatives. Arkansas and Oklahoma share a bright future in energy and environmental progress.”
-Becky Keogh, Director of Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality 

“I have enjoyed working with Ken Wagner in his capacity as Senior Advisor to the Administrator for Regional and State Affairs at EPA,” said Carol Comer, Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. “Ken is thoughtful, collaborative and an amazing solver of complex problems. I look forward to working with him in his new role as the Secretary of Energy and Environment in my neighboring state of Oklahoma.”
- Carol Comer, Director of Missouri Department of Natural Resources

“Congratulation Oklahoma!  The selection of Ken Wagner as Oklahoma’s new Secretary of Energy and Environment was a great decision. Oklahoma will be well served by Ken, and we look forward to working with him during his tenure.”
-Leo Henning, Director of Environment for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment

“I had the pleasure of getting to know and work with Ken during my time at EPA Region 6. Oklahomans will be well-served by Ken’s extensive knowledge of state and federal environmental issues.  I look forward to working on federal regulatory policies that affect both Texas and Oklahoma while continuing to protect our natural resources and ensuring economic development for our great states.”
- Emily Lindley, Commissioner of Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

“Myself and the Quapaw Nation are extremely excited with Governor Elect Stitt naming Kenneth Wagner to be the Secretary of Energy and Environment. Ken has shown his incredible dedication to developing Tribal Nation’s capabilities to participate in environmental cleanups associated with Tribal lands. Ken is one the hardest working public servants I have ever met. Governor elect Stitt has ensured a brighter future for Oklahoma with this important appointment”
- John L. Berrey, Chairman of the Quapaw Nation

“The RESTORE Council was fortunate to have Ken Wagner serve as the EPA’s designee to the Council. Ken’s leadership as Chair, particularly with team and consensus building helped create much needed momentum for Gulf Restoration.”

-Ben Scaggs, Executive Director of RESTORE Council

Stitt expands transition team, announces Policy Committee chairs

Governor-elect Kevin Stitt Announces Expansion of Transition Team, Policy Committee Chairs

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (Nov. 20, 2018) – Governor-elect Kevin Stitt today announced the expansion of nine additional members to Oklahoma’s Turnaround, the transition team for the Stitt administration, and the chairs for each policy advisory committee.

"We are excited for the talented Oklahomans who continue to join Oklahoma’s Turnaround,” said Governor-elect Kevin Stitt. “We are ending politics as usual because of the Oklahomans who are willing to step forward and give their valuable time to assist with recruitment and with developing bold policy directives for the 2019 Legislative session.”

The nine new executive team members are as follows:

Gen. Rita Aragon served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 2010 to 2014. She then served as the Special Assistant to the Governor on Military and Veterans Affairs from 2014 to 2016. Gen. Aragon is a retired United States Air National Guard two-star general. Her final active military post was as the Air National Guard assistant to the Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff Manpower and Personnel.

Blayne Arthur is the Executive Director for the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation. She previously served the state as Deputy Commissioner for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry from 2011 to 2016.

Jill Castilla led the fastest bank turnaround in the nation without adding capital and now leads Citizens Bank of Edmond as President and CEO. Castilla serves on the Boards of Directors of American Bankers Association, Peppers Ranch foster care community, Metafund, Edmond and Oklahoma City Chambers of Commerce and the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City. Castilla served in the Oklahoma Army National Guard and is an Army wife and Army mom.

Michelle Choquette currently serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Gateway Mortgage Group, leading recruitment, compensation, benefits, employee relations, learning and development and internal communications. With 27 years of experience, Choquette previously served as Vice President of HR at one of the top car rental companies in the country and led HR for seven years at Community Action Project Tulsa (CAP), a non-profit agency focused on breaking the cycle of poverty.

Dr. Amy Emerson is a Tulsa-based pediatrician and the area medical champion for Reach Out and Read’s Oklahoma chapter. Reach Out and Read is an early literacy intervention program embedded in medical practices. In the Tulsa area, the program has served as an important component of the Talking is Teaching community-wide initiative sponsored by the George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF). Emerson is active in areas of foster and adoption care support, as well as serving as medical consultant for high quality early learning centers such as Educare.

Brian Hill is the founder and CEO of Works24 and The Cedar Gate.

Fred Mendoza is an Oklahoma City based business and civic leader and a pioneer in creating Hispanic Private Sector community initiatives. Formerly based in Nashville and Dallas, he currently owns an artist talent management, production and marketing company where he has worked with numerous country and rock and roll legends.

Gene McKown is co-owner and president of development for Ideal Homes and longtime Norman philanthropist.

Monte Tucker is a fourth-generation farmer and rancher from Sweetwater. Tucker serves as President of the Roger Mills County Farm Bureau, a member of the state board of directors of Oklahoma Farm Bureau, and a volunteer fireman in Sweetwater. Tucker is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a degree in Animal Science. 

The seven chairs for each policy advisory committee are as follows:

Economic Growth Committee Chair: Lieutenant Governor-elect Matt Pinnell, who also serves on Oklahoma’s Turnaround executive team. 

Education Committee Chair: Michael Rogers served in the House of Representatives from 2014-2018 representing Broken Arrow and District 98. Rogers served as the Chair of the Common Education Committee, carried the teacher pay-raise bill last session, and played a leadership role in the passage of HB1010xx to fund the teacher pay increase. He has also served on numerous national boards and commissions including the Southern Regional Education Board as well as the Education Commission of the States.

Government Efficiency Committee Chair: Mike Mazzei, who also serves on Oklahoma’s Turnaround executive team.

Health Committee Chair: Marshall Snipes is a past chair and current member of the Board of Directors of Integris Health System, Inc. He is the Chair of the Board of Directors of Quality Alliance Assurance Company, a medical malpractice insurance company and a Board Member of Sterling Dental North America, a regional prepaid dental plan. He is a former partner of KPMG (formerly Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co.), an international CPA firm and he was recently named a Regional Trustee Liaison to the American Hospital Association’s Regional Policy Board.

Infrastructure Committee Chair: Robert L. Cummins, Jr., has spent the past 27 years in the highway construction industry. Twenty of those years (1994-2014) he served as president of The Cummins Construction Company, in Enid, Oklahoma. During that time, he also served two terms as the Chairman of the Oklahoma Asphalt Paving Association and one term as the president of the Oklahoma Association of General Contractors. Cummins has a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management Technology from Oklahoma State University. Prior to 1991, he worked in the building construction industry.

Native American Committee Chair: Neal McCaleb serves as Ambassador for the Chickasaw Nation and as Chairman of the Board for both Chickasaw Nation Industries and Bank2 (wholly owned Chickasaw Enterprise). He is a former Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs".

Public Safety Committee Chair: Steven Taylor of McAlester is a retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, retiring in 2017 after 33 years of judicial service on the District Court and the Supreme Court. He served four years active duty as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and is a former Mayor of McAlester. In 2004, Taylor presided over the state trial of the Oklahoma City Bombing case.
   
Oklahoma’s Turnaround Team will develop policy proposals for the upcoming legislative session, prepare the governor-elect’s budget proposal, and ensure an orderly transition to the new administration. Each advisory committee chair will lead a team of Oklahomans in developing proposals for the first Legislative session in a Stitt administration.

For those interested in applying for Oklahoma’s Turnaround or to serve in a Stitt administration, Oklahomans are encouraged to visit www.OklahomaTurnaround.com.

McCall, POE present '60 in 6' teacher pay plan

Yesterday afternoon, House Speaker Charles McCall and former Education Committee Chairman Michael Rogers (now Vice-Chair) presented a new long-term plan for increasing teacher pay, alongside members of Professional Oklahoma Educators.

Watch the press conference below:



Professional Oklahoma Educators is a non-union, nonpartisan professional association for all school personnel, and is the second largest education association in the state, representing thousands of teachers and school staff across the state.

Below is information that POE has posted on the '60 in 6' plan:

Support the 60 in 6 Plan
The 60 in 6 Plan offers Oklahoma teachers the largest pay increase in the history of our state over the course of six years. Under this plan, the top minimum salary for teachers with 20 or more years of experience will be $60,000 by the 2023-2024 school year. This is a plan that can work because it increases salaries every year over time with annual raises of $800 per year and $1,400 every 5 years. This is designed to reward career teachers who are committed to the profession. The largest raises are at the top!

The long-term effects of this plan will yield teachers a pay rate that is above the regional average. Click here to download the changes to the minimum salary schedule by year. In order to follow along with the changes as you increase a step each year, you will need to read the spreadsheet "diagonally." Please see the highlighted example of a teacher who will begin his/her 20th year of teaching this coming fall.

The chart below illustrates what teachers can expect when the full plan is in place in school year 2023-2024.

Here are some fast facts about the 60 in 6 Plan:

• Teachers with 20 or more years of experience will reach the top minimum level of $60,000 by the 2023-2024 school year, an increase of more than $20,000 or 50% from the current salary schedule for veteran teachers. These numbers do not include FICA & retirement benefits, which will be included in plan funding.
• All teacher pay levels would increase by 5% in the 2018-2019 school year, the first year of the plan. The next year, teachers would see raises ranging from 9.82%-14.75% from the initial year, with overall raises of 34.18%-50.85% when the plan is fully in place after 6 years.  
• Entry level teachers in the 2018-2019 school year would start at a minimum of $33,180, which is a five-percent increase from the $31,600 pay in the current schedule. At six years their minimum salary would be $42,400 which equates to raises totaling $10,800 or 34.18%. These numbers do not include FICA & retirement benefits, which will be included in plan funding.
• The plan will bring the Oklahoma teacher pay average with benefits to $57,295. Today's state average is $45,245. The regional average is $48,103.
• The salary increases with benefits requires $114.2 million in funding the first year and a total of $706.3 million to fund the full six years.
• Some school reforms are expected to be included in the legislation for successful passage in both houses.
• The reforms are being negotiated with lawmakers
• The plan will shut down the exodus of teachers to other states and from the profession. The plan will help districts attract new teachers.

Instead of creating a "bandaid" effect with a one-time bonus, we realize it's important to implement a more permanent solution to increasing teacher pay. Just like in our personal bank accounts, it is difficult for the state to afford a large payout without planning. This six-year plan will allow teacher salaries to continue to increase while the state adjusts to compensate for the new amounts. The funding mechanism for this plan is still to be finalized by the legislature, though there are several viable options. The House leadership is excited about this plan, and they are committed to funding it. 

POE is excited about this plan, and we believe it is a workable compromise that will "stick." Other plans may sound great on paper, but they are meaningless if they cannot pass the legislature. We are fortunate to have the House leadership on our side with this plan, and we ask for your support. Please contact your legislators and ask them to vote YES on the 60 in 6 Plan.

Rep. Rogers not seeking re-election

Rogers Announces He Will Not Seek Re-election

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Michael Rogers announced this week this would be his last legislative session. He is not seeking re-election.  Rogers represents Broken Arrow and District 98, which covers parts of Tulsa and Wagoner County.

“The challenges these past few months with the health of my wife have brought great clarity and focus on what is most important in my life,” said Rogers, R-Broken Arrow.  “They made me realize how much work I put on my wife while I am at the Capitol.  They also made me realize I was missing a lot of my three boys’ activities, games and practices. As all the representatives will tell you, this is not a four-month-a-year job, and to do it right and effectively it is pretty much year round.”

Rogers also resigns his position as Chairman of the Common Education Committee effective immediately.

“I cannot continue with the workload, meetings and important responsibilities that being the Chair of Common Education requires. I am confident Speaker McCall will find a qualified replacement that will carry on the work with which the committee is tasked.  This decision wasn't easy, but sometimes in life you have to give up something you love for something you love even more. It has been a great honor to serve in the House, and I have built lifelong friends on both sides of the aisle. I will always cherish my time in the House and how blessed I am to have served with so many quality members.”

Rogers was first elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2014.  He serves on the Common Education, Banking, and Business, and Judiciary committees as well as on the Appropriations & Budget Health Subcommittee.

House Passes Unfunded Education Mandate

The Oklahoma State House passed HB 1114 on Tuesday by a vote of 92-7. The measure, authored by Rep. Michael Rogers (R-Broken Arrow) and now co-authored by 56 other representatives, would give teachers a $6,000 pay raise phased in over three years.



Problem is, there is no funding. This is a completely unfunded mandate.

State Rep. Josh Cockroft, a member of House leadership, said this about the measure: "Since the appropriations process is not yet to the point to where we know where funds will come from to pay for this plan, this policy part was passed first." Essentially, we have to pass the bill before we find a way to fund it.

Passing a teacher pay raise is the popular thing to do right now. It's politically expedient. It has been one of the top three issues for the past two legislative sessions and election cycles, but with the budget shortfalls there has not been the necessary funding available.

Oklahoma is facing a shortfall this year of nearly $900M. The cost for the first-year pay raise of $1,000 is about $52.7M. The second-year phase (additional $2,000 raise) will cost about $158.7M, and the final phase (additional $3,000 raise) will be around $316M. Notice that the measure is back-loaded... much like the "savings" in federal legislation that never come to fruition.

Obviously, raising teacher pay is a laudable goal, but passing a pay raise with no funding is deceptive and irresponsible. It's akin to telling your children "Hey! We're taking you to DISNEY WORLD next week! Assuming I get a big surprise bonus at work tomorrow, which there's absolutely no indication that I will. But... DISNEY WORLD!"

Freshman State Rep Avery Frix (R-Muskogee) has been touting his HB 1115, which "would prohibit the Legislature from enacting new mandates for schools unless funding is provided." These two measures absolutely contradict each other.

Raising teacher pay is a nice goal, but it doing it without funding is misleading to constituents and especially to teachers. This bill appears to just be a way to say "I voted for a pay raise". If you're going to pass an unfunded pay raise, why stop at $6,000? Make it something big, like $10,000, or $25,000!

Legislators like to rail against unfunded education mandates. HB 1114 is a nice goal, but at this point, it's just another unfunded mandate.