By Devyn Lyon, Fox23 News
OKLAHOMA CITY — State Senate leaders are proposing a more than $250 million investment in Oklahoma education, which is set to impact teacher pay raises, literacy programs and how the state funds its teacher retirement system.
During an announcement on Tuesday morning, State Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) called the proposal unique in a tight budget year.
“I wanted to publicly say how unique this proposal is, especially in a year where we’ve talked about keeping the budget very, very tight,” said Paxton.
The Senate’s plan totals $254 million dedicated to Oklahoma schools. Leaders said they built the package within a flat budget and without new revenue.
According to Senate Education Chair Adam Pugh (R-Edmond), the proposal reflects the priorities lawmakers outlined last month.
“I said the plan we are presenting you for education isn’t a wish list. We didn’t just file bills and hope that we could find some dollars in the couch cushions.”
The proposal includes:
- $2,500 across-the-board teacher pay raises
- $50 million for the Strong Readers Act, which supports literary coaches, summer school and retention programs
- $10 million for math coaches
- Nearly $30 million added to the school funding formula
- Additional targeted program investments
Pugh said improving student outcomes requires investing in the people carrying out reforms.
“If we want to increase educational outcomes across the state of Oklahoma, not only do we need a plan, but we have to invest in people that implement that plan.”
One of the most debated elements of the package involves the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS).
Currently, the state contributes roughly $450 million annually toward the system.
Under the Senate proposal, that yearly taxpayer investment would drop to $200 million.
Senate leaders said the change doesn’t cap the state’s required contribution, but instead reduces the extra payments the state has made in recent years to help the fund catch-up.
“We’re not capping the contribution,” said Pugh. “The state has been paying above and beyond the traditional contribution to catch that fund up, and the state will continue to make an additional payment so that fund will continue to grow.”
Some Democrats have raised concerns, including State Senator Mark Mann (D-Oklahoma City) who warned the reduction in state investment could jeopardize a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for retired educators.
In a statement, state Democrats said:
“The Republican proposal would be paid for by lowering the state’s investment in the Teachers’ Retirement System. We are confident this will put a COLA for retired educators at risk.”
Oklahoma State Superintendent Lindel Fields said his office is reviewing the proposal, but said he sees encouraging signs.
“Today’s announcement from the Senate is encouraging. Obviously, we are still reviewing and gaining an understanding of all that’s included, but many of the listed priorities align with those of OSDE, specifically with regard to literacy and teacher recruitment retention. I’m hopeful of what will come from these types of solution-oriented conversations.”
Meanwhile, House leadership signaled caution.
House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Trey Caldwell (R-Comanche County) said the House wants more details and also raised concerns about the potential impacts to TRS.
“We look forward to working with the Senate through our normal budget process as we determine our education priorities and how to best move Oklahoma forward,” said Caldwell. “We have concerns about any proposal that negatively impacts the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS). The House has consistently supported common sense retirement reforms to help experienced teachers return to the classroom, which the Senate has repeatedly rejected. We want to see the full details of Senator Pugh’s plan as we work to strengthen our schools without compromising our educators’ long-term stability.”
The proposal now heads into the broader budget negotiation process between the House and the Senate.
Lawmakers will continue working through education funding priorities as they finalize the state budget.
To learn more about the funding proposal, click here.
