Budget chief eyes teacher raise plan without using surplus

Preston Doerflinger

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Gov. Mary Fallin's top budget negotiator says he is working to develop several proposals for a teacher pay raise, including some plans that would not use a $140 million surplus that was left over at the end of the fiscal year.

Fallin's Secretary of Finance Preston Doerflinger said Friday that he's looking at several options for a teacher pay raise at or above $5,000 a year. Doerflinger says some of those proposals will use all or some of the $140.8 million surplus, but others will use none of it.

Fallin has suggested that lawmakers return for a special session before November's election to consider a teacher pay hike. But no agreement has been reached with Republican legislative leaders.

Most legislators have suggested the surplus revenue be returned to state agencies.