Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105

For Immediate Release: April 30, 2003

Audio Clip

(L-R) Rep. Tad Jones, Sen. Mike Johnson, Senate Republican Leader James A. Williamson and Rep. Susan Winchester talk about education funding levels for FY 04


Public Education Funding Increasing by
$113 Million in FY 04, to Highest Total Ever

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – Finally, some good news for education.

An analysis by the state Senate’s fiscal staff indicates that total K through 12 education funding will increase by $113 million next year to its highest level ever, legislative Republicans announced Wednesday.

“When you determine total spending based on the state aid formula, which accounts for local state appropriations for state aid and local and state dedicated revenue, the total dollar amount estimated to be spent on common education next year will be the highest total level of funding ever,” stated Senator Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher, the Senate GOP’s caucus chairman. Johnson requested the Senate staff’s analysis.

“Considering that total school spending is on the rise, you really have to question whether the myriad of tax increases being clamored for are in the name of education are really necessary. During this tight budget year, the Legislature needs to direct as much state money as possible into our top priorities, tighten the rest of state government’s belt, and resist the temptation to increase the tax burden on Oklahoma families and small businesses. This would help ensure that our state economy rebounds more quickly and that state government emerges leaner, more efficient, and more effective in the long run,” said Senator James Williamson, R-Tulsa, Senate Republican Leader.

“In a year that has been full of financial woes, it is enlightening to see that next year the formula funding for common education is estimated to be the highest it ever has been in our state,” said Rep. Susan Winchester, R-Chickasha, the House’s Assistant Minority Leader.

“It is always reassuring to see the hard work that we have put into common education funding paying off. This information should be reassuring to teachers, administrators, students, and parents,” stated Rep. Tad Jones, R-Claremore, House Minority Whip.

According to the analysis by the Senate staff, steadily rising property taxes and an $80 million increase in state aid will contribute to an increase the overall education spending determined through the state aid formula for Fiscal Year 2004, which begins July 1.

The estimated local and state dedicated revenue, which includes property taxes, School Land Commission investments, gross production tax, motor vehicle tax, and rural electric association cooperative tax, will total $1,004,891,163 for FY 2004. This is compares to $972 million in the current fiscal year, $954 million in FY02, and $863 million in FY01.

When the local and state dedicated revenue are combined with the $1,525,279,302 state appropriations for FY04 state aid recently signed into law, total funding through the state education formula is estimated to be $2,530,170,465 next year.

“This is a $113 million dollar increase over the current fiscal, and $39 million more than two years ago. For a tight budget year, common education is making out very well compared to other state agencies, and education will remain a top priority for Republicans,” Johnson concluded.

For more information, contact:
Sen. James A. Williamson
Senate Republican Leader
(405) 521-5624