Reform is a topic of interim studies
BETWEEN tax increases approved in the past three years and strong growth in Oklahoma’s economy, the debate over state government revenue has concluded and is no longer an excuse to avoid addressing more serious and substantive reforms. Fortunately, it appears some lawmakers understand this.
The House of Representatives and the Senate have both approved interim studies that may be conducted by lawmakers in the coming months. They include important topics that have been neglected for too long.
Sen. Allison Ikley-Freeman, D-Tulsa, has requested a study of prison re-entry programs in Oklahoma and wants to look at implementation of the governor’s justice reform task force recommendations.
The challenges of Oklahoma’s prison system have not gone away, and lawmakers have punted the ball too often on this issue.
Corrections reform that reduces prison incarceration while still preserving public safety must be a priority. Otherwise, lawmakers need to bite the bullet and devote the money needed to build new prisons.
Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, has requested a study on school bonding flexibility based on state assets.
It’s long been noted Oklahoma school funding is “siloed” in ways that leave schools unable to raise teacher pay even when their per-pupil funding surges thanks to local property taxes. The system’s flaws have become obvious during the past several years and it’s good some lawmakers are starting to reconsider such restrictions.
In the House, Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, has requested a study to examine “what the correlation is, if any, between per pupil expenditures and education outcomes by district.”
That study will also examine how much money districts are putting into classroom instruction. Given the hundreds of millions in new funding poured into schools this year, lawmakers need to follow up and make sure those dollars are used to the maximum benefit for students.
Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa, will lead a study on equitable funding of charter schools. Some of Oklahoma’s best-performing schools are charter schools, yet they are denied property tax funding other schools receive. As a result, some of the state’s best schools are in some of the most dilapidated buildings.
It’s time to reassess a funding system that (perhaps inadvertently) financially penalizes excellence in education.
Stanislawski also has requested a study on virtual charter school performance. Online education has become a valuable tool for providing greater opportunities to many students. That said, there have been controversies regarding quality and oversight of some providers, which suggests tweaks to state law may be needed.
Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, wants to consider reform of the “merit protection” system in place for state government workers. That system reduces political influence in state hiring, but can also make it far harder to fire bad employees. Osburn has pushed reform for several years, and deserves credit for continuing his efforts.
It’s one thing to study an issue, and another to advance meaningful reform.
Those lawmakers who are taking their jobs seriously and focusing on something beyond election gimmicks deserve praise and public support.