For Immediate Release: April 1, 2003

Audio Clip

Gov. Henry, Legislative Leaders Strike Pact on School Funds,
Propose Additional Funds for K-12 Classrooms

(Oklahoma City) Oklahoma’s K-12 public school classrooms will receive additional funding next fiscal year under a bipartisan agreement announced by Governor Brad Henry and legislative leaders Tuesday.

The pact calls for a $1.95 billion budget for common education in fiscal year 2004, an increase over its projected $1.87 billion budget for the current fiscal year. The additional funds will help mitigate some but not all of the budget cuts that schools have been forced to make in recent months because of declining state revenues.

The governor, House Speaker Larry E. Adair (D-Stilwell), Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson (D-Lexington), House Republican Leader Todd Hiett (R-Kellyville) and Senate Republican Leader James Williamson (R-Tulsa) reached the agreement after several weeks of budget negotiations. All parties agreed to fund common education at the level recommended in Gov. Henry’s executive budget.

“I think this bipartisan agreement represents a tremendous step forward for Oklahoma, particularly in these difficult budget times. By putting aside our differences and working together, we were able to draft a plan that provides additional support to public school classrooms and truly makes education the state’s top budget priority. Our schools have faced some pretty tough times in recent months, but the latest agreement will provide them with some relief,” said Gov. Henry.

This is the first time in recent history that state leaders have struck an agreement on education funding this early in the legislative session. Gov. Henry and legislative leaders said they wanted to move as quickly as possible on the education appropriation so that local school officials would be better prepared to plan their budgets for the next school year. Schools must finalize teacher contracts by April 10th.

“With budgets being drawn up for next year, we felt it was important to let the schools know just how much money they would have to spend in their classrooms. Our schools will still be operating in a difficult budget environment, but they won’t be asked to cut any deeper than they already have. This agreement shows that public education continues to be our top priority,” said Speaker Adair.

"Our public schools have had to endure drastic budget cuts in the current fiscal year and many educators have feared the worst in anticipation of next year's budget. Some have already acted on those fears. Today's announcement will allow school boards to make informed decisions about next year's staffing levels and to base those choices on facts and not on fear and speculation. We are hopeful that we will soon be able to announce a bipartisan agreement that will also take the fear and speculation out of budget planning for the rest of state government and for the Oklahomans who depend on other vital services," said Sen. Hobson.

Republican legislative leaders also applauded the budget agreement.

“With a bipartisan agreement on the funding level, the Legislature should be able to pass the common education appropriations bill and get it to Governor Henry’s desk by the end of the week. I look forward to working with Senator Hobson to schedule a Senate vote on the common education funding bill as soon as possible. Education is our state’s highest priority, and Republicans in the Legislature are proud to be leading the effort to reform the budget process by funding education first and early in the process. This agreement is a victory for Oklahoma schoolchildren, and it gives Oklahoma education leaders the information necessary to stabilize their local school budgets,” said Sen. Williamson.

“We have been promoting funding education first for many years and we are delighted to see that accomplished in this measure. We are sending a clear message to Oklahoma teachers, students, and parents that we are committed to providing the best education for all of Oklahoma’s children,” said Rep. Hiett.

With an agreement reached on education funding, Gov. Henry and legislative leaders are turning their attention to the final pieces of the state budget picture. The state leaders say they are very close to reaching an agreement on the appropriations for the rest of state government.

For more information, contact:

Governor’s office: 405-523-4219
State Senate: 405-524-0126
State House: 405-521-2711