Bill updating the Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program wins unanimous Senate approval

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation updating the Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program has received unanimous, bipartisan support by the full Senate. Senate Bill 2040, by Sen. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa, enhances the scholarship program, which was first created a quarter of a century ago.

“Twenty-five years ago, Representative Don Ross, Senator Maxine Horner, and Senate President Pro Tem Stratton Taylor worked within this body to address the generational impact of the Tulsa Race Massacre with a scholarship opportunity for descendants and other seniors in Tulsa Public Schools,” Goodwin said. “This legislation strengthens the program and its mission by expanding access, helping create a better future for qualifying recipients through education.”

SB 2040 directs scholarships to be made available to as many students as feasible – up to 300. Additional updates to the scholarship program contained in the bill include the following:

• Extends eligibility to qualified students of any public school district in the state who are direct lineal descendants of a person who lived in the Greenwood area of Tulsa between April 30, 1921, and June 1, 1921.
• Increases the qualifying family income limit from $70,000 to $128,000, to be adjusted each year by the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index. There is no family income limit for applicants who are direct lineal descendants.
• Gives first priority status to applicants who are direct lineal descendants.
• Allows excess scholarship funds to be used for fees, required textbooks or materials, and room and board.

“This is an important opportunity to help more young people in Oklahoma expand their horizons through college or a career and technology program,” Goodwin said. “I want to thank my fellow members who supported this measure. We’re helping more students reach their potential through education, and that’s good for our entire state.”

SB 2040 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma City, is the House principal author.

– END –

For more information, contact: Sen. Regina Goodwin at 405-521-5598 or Regina.Goodwin@oksenate.gov