Governor, legislative leaders reach compromise on education funding
The Tulsa World - May 15, 2019 2:20 pm
Gov. Kevin Stitt stands with leaders of the Oklahoma Legislature to announce a budget deal Wednesday.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Teachers would receive an average $1,220 pay raise and state employees would receive raises up to $1,300 under a budget agreement announced Wednesday.
Public education would receive a $203 million increase, with $157.7 million for common education, according to a budget highlights sheet released just prior to a Wednesday afternoon news conference.
Gov. Kevin Stitt and legislative leaders were speaking at the news conference about the budget agreement.
Among other budget highlights:
- $20 million to reform funding of district attorney offices.
- $10 million for “smart on crime” programs through the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
- $19 million for the Quick Action Closing fund.
- $15 million for digital transformation of state government services to enhance transparency.
- Fully funding the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s eight-year plan.
- $62 million for Graduate Medical Education program to support physician training for rural hospitals.
- $105 million reallocation to increase provider rates for physicians, hospitals and nursing homes.
- $200 million in the state’s savings account.
