For Immediate Release: April 18, 2006

Morgan: House Leaders Short-Change Teachers

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan said Tuesday’s show in the House makes it clear that the House Republican leadership has placed tax cuts for the wealthy above the education of Oklahoma’s children.

“House leaders continue to stump for a package of tax cuts that will cost Oklahoma nearly $650 million and which will benefit the wealthiest in Oklahoma far more than the middle class. Yet today, they voted to short-change Oklahoma’s teachers,” Morgan said.

Rather than choosing to vote on Senate amendments to House Bill 2165 and provide a $204.3 million increase in funding for public schools – including a $3,000 a year pay raise for every teacher in Oklahoma, House leaders amended another Senate measure to include a much smaller pay raise proposal for state educators.

“The Senate remains committed to providing a $3,000 pay raise for every Oklahoma teacher this year. Our amended version of House Bill 2165 includes a $204 million appropriation increase for public schools in our state and represents a significant step forward for education funding in Oklahoma,” Morgan said.

The House-amended version of Senate Bill 1644 includes a pay raise scheme that would provide an average raise of $1,200 for Oklahoma teachers. Under the plan backed by the House, however, some teachers would receive no raise at all.

Morgan said included HB 2165’s $2.4 billion appropriation for public schools are “key accountability measures that reward teachers who take on the additional responsibility of becoming a mentor for younger educators and for those who complete the rigorous national board certification process.”

“HB 2165 also includes a raise for support personal and additional operational funds for Oklahoma’s school districts which, like household budgets, have been hit hard by rising energy costs,” Morgan said. “The House can vote to accept the amendments on that bill tomorrow, send it to the governor and fund education first."

“It’s time for House leaders to quit playing games with public education in our state in an attempt to find a campaign advantage. In the Senate we will continue to look beyond the next election and focus on providing a better tomorrow for the next generation.”

For more information, contact:
Senate President Pro Tem's Office: (405) 521-5605