House leader has new teacher pay proposal
Two measures pending before the Oklahoma Legislature plus growth revenue could fund a teacher pay raise of close to $5,000, a House leader said Monday.
It is the third teacher pay plan outlined in less than a week.
“Including growth revenue, there is an ability to pass a significant teacher pay raise right away,” said House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City.
Educators say they will walk off the job April 2 if they are not given a $10,000 pay hike. They are seeking the raise phased in over three years, with $6,000 in the first year.
“I think there will be movement in the next two weeks,” Echols said.
Educators will be joined by state employees, who are also seeking a pay raise.
Last week, the Oklahoma Senate passed Senate Bill 1086 by Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa. The measure would eliminate the capital gains tax credit, producing about $120 million a year. It is pending in the House.
Meanwhile, a bill the House passed last session, House Bill 2403, could also be used. The
bill, which is pending in the Senate, would cap itemized tax deductions at $17,000, excluding charitable donations.
According to information from the House, the measure could have a positive revenue impact of nearly $102 million.
However, the measure is expected to be amended in the Senate to raise the cap to $25,000 from $17,000 and include medical expenses as allowable deductions. That change would result in $74 million in revenue.
Senate Majority Floor Leader Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, was asked about Echols remarks.
“He hasn’t shared the math with me on that yet,” Treat said. “I will look at it.”
Treat said expects to bring back up the revenue package to fund a 12.7 percent teacher pay raise and is working to get the votes. It failed to get the super majority required by two votes, but was held on a motion to reconsider the vote by which it failed.
The 12.7 percent would mean a $5,000 teacher pay raise on average, Treat said.
Figures released by the Board of Equalization in February indicate while the state is projected to increase
revenues, lawmakers will have at least $167.8 million less to spend in crafting next year’s state budget due to one-time obligations.
Echols said he is very supportive of any plan that would reward especially senior educators, such as a Professional Oklahoma Educators plan endorsed last week by the House Republican Caucus.
Meanwhile, the Senate last week passed a 12.7 percent teacher pay raise, but failed to approve a funding mechanism to support it.
Echols said if additional revenue raising measures are passed, the raise could be greater.
Oklahoma Education Association President Alicia Priest said she appreciates lawmakers looking for ways to fund a pay raise.
“A legitimate revenue proposal, however, will also include money for the operations of our schools, as well as pay raises for education support professionals and state employees,” Priest said. “These public servants are critical to the success and well-being of our students, and many cannot afford to raise a family on their current wages.
“The Legislature’s time for kicking the can down the road expires on April 1. We strongly hope they will devise a comprehensive and meaningful funding plan before then.”