State superintendent wants $37M funding boost

OKLAHOMA CITY —

Oklahoma State Superintendent Janet Barresi says she plans to ask lawmakers for nearly $40 million in additional funding to finish out the current fiscal year.

Barresi said Thursday she will submit a formal request next week for $37.7 million in funding. Included in the request is $8.5 million for the flexible benefit allowance for state educators and $21.5 million to fund the Reading Sufficiency Act and Achieving Classroom Excellence remediation.

Barresi says she also plans to ask lawmakers for an increase of $289 million for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Based on current projections, the Oklahoma Legislature is expected to have about $170 million in growth revenue, but finance officials say state agencies are requesting $1.4 billion in budget increases.

Copyright The Associated Press