House Democrats said closed-door, backroom deals around funding private school vouchers have delayed the budget and is hurting all Oklahomans.
“The legislature determines how much money each state agency will receive to provide education, healthcare, public safety, care for Veterans and affordable healthcare for Oklahomans. These agencies are not able to make serious decisions about meeting the needs of Oklahomans when Republican legislators delay the budget and exclude the public from this process,” House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson said.
Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater said, “While the Republican supermajority is fighting to tie public school funding to private school vouchers, House Democrats are concerned about the quality of life for ALL Oklahomans.”
Key House Democratic Budget Priorities Include:
- $6000-$12,000 teacher pay raises and $50 million for support professionals pay raises uncoupled with voucher schemes to fund private schools.
- Expand SoonerCare to cover more children and pregnant women, especially since nearly 300,000 Oklahomans will lose their health insurance coverage.
- Eliminate childcare deserts and expand affordable childcare options so more parents can enter the workforce.
- Eliminate fines and fees used to fund government that disproportionately impact low-income Oklahomans.
- Sustain funding for Oklahoma’s publicly funded television network OETA.
- Increase the state earned income tax credit to 10% of federal credit.
- Increase the affordable housing tax credit.
- Provide tax credit for 100% service-connected disabled veterans who rent.
House Democratic leaders said they will also oppose any budget that includes tax cuts.
“In the past, tax cuts led directly to revenue failure. Tax cuts are short-sighted and put the future of Oklahoma in jeopardy. It is important that we invest taxpayer dollars in critical services like expanding access to healthcare so that every Oklahoman can see a doctor when they need to, making sure all Oklahoma students attend a good public school fully-staffed with highly-qualified teachers and that our schools are safe and places where students and their families feel welcomed and included,” Leader Munson said.
