Oklahoma Senate passes $447 million revenue package to fund teacher pay raise

Authored by kfor.com and submitted by Bectoriephic
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OKLAHOMA CITY - In what initially seemed to be a repeat of previous votes on revenue raising measures, the senate narrowly approved a funding package to help pay for teacher pay raises in the state Wednesday evening.

The $447 million revenue package, passed by a 36-10, vote now goes to the governor's desk for signing.

Requiring a three-fourths majority to pass tax increases, the senate vote stalled two votes shy at 34, with Sen. Anastasia Pittman removing her yes vote, albeit temporarily. Three senators weren't present, including Oklahoma City mayor-elect David Holt, R-Oklahoma City. As Holt returned to the capitol to cast a yes vote, bringing the total to 35, he quickly left the floor. Moments later he returned, arm-in-arm with Pittman, as the two walked to her desk and cast the deciding vote.

"When I ask a couple questions and no one can give me a straight answer, then I have some reservations," said Pittman when asked about her vote after session adjourned.

Just as Senator Holt just walked in and voted yes. Democrats have just walked off the floor. Pittman was a yes. Appears Holt just walked off the floor after them. Holt just walks back in with arm around Pittman. HB1010 passes 36-10. #okleg — Bill Miston (@billmiston) March 29, 2018

With the passage of HB1010XX, it is the first tax increase approved in the state since 1990. It includes increasing the state's oil and gas production tax to 5 percent, $1.00 tax increase on cigarettes, 6 cent increase on diesel and 3 cent increase on gasoline. A $5.00 tax on hotel and motel stays is also included.

However, plans are in the works to remove the hotel/motel tax from the package. Earlier Wednesday afternoon, House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said it would be eliminated through legislation that would follow in the House Thursday.

Hotel/Motel tax estimated to generate $50.4m annually and bring in $46.2m for FY19 (11 collection months). — Bill Miston (@billmiston) March 28, 2018

A House floor amendment, HB1012XX, filed Wednesday afternoon would repeal sections of the revenue package relating to the hotel/motel tax. The hotel/motel tax is estimated to generate $50.4 million annually and provide $46.2 million for appropriations in the FY19 budget. That is expected to be taken up by the house Thursday.

Pittman says she was concerned about the hotel/motel tax within the funding package and the impact it would have on businesses in the state.

"That was $50 million that was taken," she said. "And I want to know how we're going to put it back."

Officials say the plan is to replace the lost occupancy taxes through sales taxes of online purchases.

The Senate also approved caps on itemized deductions and the teacher pay scale.

Here is the agenda for the Senate tonight. @billmiston is also at the Capitol tracking all of the developments #OKLeg @kfor pic.twitter.com/SSgcjJV3qS — Lili Zheng (@lilizhengTV) March 28, 2018

Quorum being called in the senate. On schedule for the evening: HB1010XX (teacher pay funding bill), HB1011XX (itemized deduction caps) and HB1023XX (teacher pay scale). #okleg@kfor — Bill Miston (@billmiston) March 28, 2018

A house floor amendment filed about an hour ago, HB1012XX, repeals sections of the $447m funding bill that relates to the $5.00 hotel/motel tax. Speaker McCall telling me this afternoon plan is to eliminate the hotel motel tax and run a trailer bill tomorrow. #okleg — Bill Miston (@billmiston) March 28, 2018

Senate now taking up HB1011XX, caps itemized deductions at $17k, excludes charitable giving. Net revenue increase of $94.1m. Passes 28-18. #okleg — Bill Miston (@billmiston) March 29, 2018

HB1023XX is the final bill on the agenda this evening. Roll closed, passes 41-4. — Bill Miston (@billmiston) March 29, 2018

Second session adjourned to call of the chair. @GovMaryFallin on the floor shaking hands with senators. Leadership holding press conference in ten minutes. #okleg — Bill Miston (@billmiston) March 29, 2018

"It's not enough," said Senate Minority Leader John Sparks, D-Norman, referring to the funding needs of the state and addressing teacher support staff and public employee pay raises. "We're going to pick up tomorrow -- some of those (bills) will be amended. We still have other revenue sources out here."

When asked what he would say to the support staff and public employees, "Hold fast," he said. "Know that more is coming and we will continue to work in that direction."

"High five!" said Gov. Mary Fallin as she walked to the podium in the capitol broadcast press room, joining Sen. President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz and Majority Floor Leader Greg Treat.

"I applaud the parties for working in a bi-partisan way," said Fallin. "We will have a signing party tomorrow."

"Unbelievably historic night," said Schulz, R-Altus. "We still have a few more bills we will do (Thursday)."

State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister also released this statement Wednesday evening:

“Thanks to members of the state Senate, our teachers are much closer to a desperately needed and long-overdue pay raise, one that will finally make us regionally competitive and help turn around a crippling teacher shortage. I am grateful for the strong bipartisan support on behalf of Oklahoma’s schoolkids. This pay raise propels Oklahoma to second in the region for average teacher pay. Nationally, we will move from the basement to better than 19 other states. While this legislation is far from all that needs to be done to reverse years of education funding cuts, it is a tremendous step forward. There is no one more important than the teacher in classroom instruction, and House Bill 1010-XX will be critical in retaining and recruiting teachers. This vote is a bright light for public education in Oklahoma.”

The Oklahoma Public Employees Association, along with the Oklahoma Education Association, still plan on walking out Monday, calling for pay raises for state workers.

President of the Oklahoma Education Association Alicia Priest released the following statement on Facebook Wednesday evening saying "The passage of HB1010xx is a truly historic moment in Oklahoma. This movement, fueled by the courageous acts of teachers, parents, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, custodians, and community members has forced this legislature to finally act. This historic investment of half a billion dollars will benefit a generation of Oklahoma students and will be felt in every community across this state. While this is major progress, this investment alone will not undo a decade of neglect. Lawmakers have left funding on the table that could be used immediately to help Oklahoma students. There is still work to do to get this legislature to invest more in our classrooms. That work will continue Monday when educators descend on the Capitol."

dickherber on March 29th, 2018 at 14:10 UTC »

This isn't everything it appears. It's funded for only 1 year, is a compromise (increase of $6000 for teachers, asked for $10,000, not to mention scraps are given to support staff) and in the perspective that Oklahoma teachers are some of the worst paid in the nation and passing another raise for them likely won't take place in the near or distant future, this seems like a way to placate teachers and the union.

donfelicedon2 on March 29th, 2018 at 12:47 UTC »

With the passage of HB1010XX, it is the first tax increase approved in the state since 1990. It includes increasing the state's oil and gas production tax to 5 percent, $1.00 tax increase on cigarettes, 6 cent increase on diesel and 3 cent increase on gasoline. A $5.00 tax on hotel and motel stays is also included

One tax increase in 30 years? One??

babygrenade on March 29th, 2018 at 12:40 UTC »

With the passage of HB1010XX, it is the first tax increase approved in the state since 1990. It includes increasing the state's oil and gas production tax to 5 percent, $1.00 tax increase on cigarettes, 6 cent increase on diesel and 3 cent increase on gasoline. A $5.00 tax on hotel and motel stays is also included.

However, plans are in the works to remove the hotel/motel tax from the package. Earlier Wednesday afternoon, House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said it would be eliminated through legislation that would follow in the House Thursday.

A House floor amendment, HB1012XX, filed Wednesday afternoon would repeal sections of the revenue package relating to the hotel/motel tax. The hotel/motel tax is estimated to generate $50.4 million annually and provide $46.2 million for appropriations in the FY19 budget. That is expected to be taken up by the house Thursday.

These don't seem like very reliable funding sources to begin with and they're already trying to remove one of them.