State tax for teacher pay raises draws key support

OWASSO (AP) - Oklahoma's education superintendent said a ballot measure to increase taxes to fund teacher pay increases isn't ideal, but she'll support it to address the state's shrinking pool of educators.

Speaking Wednesday in Owasso, State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister said the Legislature should have increased teacher salaries last session, rather than leaving it to voters. The proposal, which is on the November ballot, calls for a 1 percent sales tax increase to fund higher education and $5,000 pay increases for teachers.

"We've got to have a $5,000 pay increase," she said. "The 300,000 Oklahoma petition-signers have made their will known. We will now see what happens with the voters when November comes around. If that doesn't pass, I don't stop advocating for that (teacher pay raise)."

Of the ballot measure, Hofmeister said, "Is that ideal? I don't think it's ideal. I think it's long overdue. And it is with regret that we have not been able to do that sooner."

Read more: http://www.swoknews.com/area/state-tax-teacher-pay-raises-draws-key-support