Gov. Fallin To Pitch Ideas To New Legislators If Teacher Raise Vote Fails

If a ballot initiative to raise the sales tax to fund teacher raises fails, the governor said she’ll pitch her same ideas to new legislators.

On Nov. 8, voters will be asked to vote on State Question 779, which would increase the sales tax by 1 percent to raise an estimated $615 million for education.

Of that, $378 million would be used to fund teacher raises; $125 million would be used for higher education; $50 million for grants; another $50 million for early childhood programs and $20 million for vocation and technology education.

House Democrats said the tax is the best plan they've seen yet.

"The governor and some of our friends at the capitol say that they've had a plan for a number of years they have yet to get serious about it and put one on the floor," said Rep. Scott Inman, (D) Minority Leader.

The governor said she has offered plans like consolidating some school services to save money, cutting tax credits and tapping into revolving funds.  

"We certainly looked at revolving funds this past year. Money that's carried over from year to year,” said Gov. Mary Fallin.  “Because it may be just be over looked or excess fees or funds going into that. But to look at all different avenues of what we can do."

The governor also looked into calling a special session but the Legislature wouldn't play ball.

Ethically, she said, she can't say one way or another whether voters should support the 1 percent tax, but if it fails, she plans to reintroduce old ideas to a new Legislature. 

"We’re going to have probably 40 to 50 new legislators, so I think we're going to have an opportunity to push reset, refresh," Fallin said.

"There’s got to be a solution,” Inman said about the 1 percent tax. “And this is a solution that on the table. And I think the people of Oklahoma are going to pass it come November."