OK Senate may vote on teacher raises Wednesday

TULSA — After a historic vote in the Oklahoma House Monday to raise revenues for a teacher pay raise, the state Senate now takes its turn at trying to reach the supermajority threshold required for such bill under Oklahoma law.

State Question 640, approved by voters in 1992, has effectively blocked all attempts to raise taxes in Oklahoma since it went into effect.

It requires a 75-percent “aye” vote in both houses to pass any revenue-raising measure, something lawmakers have considered asking voters to change.

Monday’s 79-19 vote to approve House Bill 1010xx and approve a raise for teachers becomes the first such bill ever to cross that hurdle.

“It was pretty historic, what happened,” State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister told KRMG Tuesday.

“The funding would provide for a teacher pay raise that actually exceeded the request by OEA for a $6,000 pay raise in the first year,” she noted.

But the Oklahoma Education Association was quick to react after the vote, posting on its Facebook page that “April 2 is still on. Our ask is still our ask.”

Patti Ferguson Palmer, President of the Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association, told KRMG Tuesday they’re also very happy that the legislature’s taking the issue seriously.

“We believe it was a great first start,” she said. “We really appreciate the effort - the bipartisan effort - that went into it. They did it fast, and it’s great. But it’s only at the 50-yard line.”

She also confirmed that teachers still plan to walk out on April 2nd.

“We want $10,000 for every teacher, and we want $5,000 for every support employee, because we cannot run the schools without them.”

All 19 “no” votes in the House Monday were by Republicans.

It remains to be seen if the Senate, also dominated by the GOP, will follow suit and fund the raises.

And even if it does, and the governor signs off, it appears teachers will still walk out - though it’s possible some districts might decide otherwise.