Bills passed in Ok affect state Capitol, education, DOC

by Sara Ritsch
Staff Writer

While the Rainy Day Fund is being accessed for both education and the Department of Corrections (DOC) in Oklahoma, $125 million in renovations to the State Capitol narrowly cleared in the House of Representatives this Thursday.

According to the Associated Press, Gov. Mary Fallin, Senate Pres. Pro Tempore Brian Bingman and House Speaker Jeff Hickman announced that Oklahoma will use about $78.5 million from the struggling state’s Rainy Day Fund to “partially offset budget cuts to common education and corrections.”

As for their rations, “the Department of Education is to receive $51 million and the Department of Corrections (DOC) is to receive $27.5 million.”

Only one week ago, on March 3, the Oklahoma State Secretary of Finance Preston Doerflinger ordered another $235 million budget cut, slashing 7 percent of spending for schools, prisons and other state agencies.

"Public education will receive the largest additional cut of $62.4 million, bringing the total since the start of the year to $109.2 million. With growing classroom sizes, abysmal teacher pay, and the elimination of programs and school days, how much more can Oklahoma's teachers and students endure before Oklahoma says enough?" asked the Oklahoma Democratic Party last week.

However, as said by the Associated Press, “A plan for a $125 million bond issue to pay for a second phase of renovations to the Oklahoma Capitol has narrowly cleared the House of Representatives.

“The House voted 51-43 during a late-night session Wednesday to approve a bill authorizing the sale of the bonds. A bill needs 51 votes to pass the 101-member House. It now heads to the Senate for consideration.

“The Legislature approved a $120 million bond issue to repair the Capitol two years ago. Some of those opposed to the plan questioned why all the upgrades to date have been renovations of House and Senate office space.

“Annual lease payments on a 20-year bond are projected to be $8.4 million.”

Renovations to the state Capitol include a wide set of arches and a reflecting pool.

In addition to these bills passed, the Senate voted 25-20 Thursday to approve a bill that says the Oklahoma school districts could decide to no longer follow dozens of state requirements. This includes hiring certified teachers or paying minimum salaries.

There are concerns that this bill could eliminate critical protections for schools and teachers.

Updates soon to come.

The Gayly – 3/10/2016 @ 10:59 a.m. CST