Oklahoma teachers’ union proposes taxes ahead of walkout

Alicia Priest, President, Oklahoma Education Association, with her own middle school teacher Vicki Vaughan, by her side, speaks during a media conference at the Oklahoma Education Association. Thursday, March 8, 2018. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma’s largest teachers’ union is outlining a list of proposed tax increases for lawmakers to consider to avoid a statewide teacher strike.
The Oklahoma Education Association presented a list Friday and criticized state lawmakers for taking a three-day weekend ahead of a pending teacher walkout on April 2.
Among the items proposed for tax increases are oil and gas production, cigarettes, alcohol, motor fuel, lodging and internet sales.
The OEA is demanding a $10,000 pay raise for teachers and $5,000 for support personnel over the next three years. They also want $200 million in additional funding for public schools and $500 million for state employees and other agencies.
The GOP-led Legislature has failed to pass several proposals for new revenue as anti-tax Republicans have joined Democrats in opposing the measures.