Education Bills Pass Okla. Senate Floor

It’s the same two education bills that have sparked hours of debate in both chambers: providing tax credits to private and homeschool families, and historic public school funding. The two bills passed off the Senate floor with overwhelming yes votes, and now heads back over to the house.

“We’re on the preface to be able to deliver school choice to Oklahoma families,” said President Pro Tem Greg Treat (R- OKC).

The tax credit bill, HB1935, is one step closer to the governor’s desk, passing off the Senate floor 40-7.

But those seven nay votes had strong opposition.

"This is a wreckless bill,” said Sen. Julia Kirt (D-OKC).

“House bill 1935 helps those who get power and keep power through a separate and unequal system of schools,” said Sen. Mary Boren (D-Norman).

The tax credit bill would cost around $100 million. It’s broken up into private and homeschools: a max of $7,500 per private school student and $1,000 per homeschool family.

The Senate amended the original House bill to add an income cap of $250,000 per-household for families to even qualify.

"It is parents being empowered to make the best decisions for their kids,” said Sen. Ally Seifried (R-Claremore).

Democrats criticized the numbers on the fiscal impact. They said it will likely cost more than what Sen. Treat has projected, and that it will draw in an excess amount of new private school students.

"This has no accountability built in and is a taxpayer giveaway,” said Sen. Kirt.

Treat says private schools don’t have the capacity to go overboard, and estimated the program will grow at ½ a percentage point over the coming years.

He also argued that only ⅓ of private school kids enrolled will be eligible for the credit with the income cap.

"Why deny them the opportunity and the chance at a greater life in another environment?” asked Treat.

The public school funding bill also passing today would give an additional $216 million added to the state aid formula, and $248 million towards scaled teacher pay raises.

"I hope and I pray that public schools are the main choice for Oklahoma residents but where they do not fit the needs, a private alternative should exist, and or a homeschool alternative,” said Sen. Treat.

The bills now head back to the House. After weeks of promising to kill these bills if the Senate amended them, Speaker McCall said today he’s willing to negotiate.