Oklahoma governor, Senate near deal on teacher pay raise

OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt and Senate Republicans reached a tentative agreement Thursday on a plan to give Oklahoma teachers another $1,200 pay raise next year, resolving a major stumbling block on a budget agreement.

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat said he is presenting the governor a plan for $200 million in new spending on public education, including $70 million for the across-the-board pay raise for teachers.

“We think we have a viable way of getting the teacher pay raise that the House and governor have been advocating for and a substantial amount into the classroom as well,” said Treat, R-Oklahoma City.

Lawmakers have about $600 million in increased revenue to appropriate this year, but the House, Senate and governor have yet to reach a deal on how that should be spent.

Read more: https://www.swtimes.com/news/20190510/oklahoma-governor-senate-near-deal-on-teacher-pay-raise
(Fort Smith Times Record)