Sen. Bryce Marlatt defends his plan to ask voters if they’ll allow a special fund to pay for across the board teacher pay increase against recent criticism from House Democrats. Rep. Steve Kouplen is calling for a special session to halt an upcoming income tax cut to help bolster the state budget. He calls the senator’s plan too slow a reaction to the teacher pay crisis. Marlatt says his plan would find a way to fund the raises without raising taxes on Oklahomans.
“Predictably, House Democrats responded to my proposal to fund a teacher pay increase with their favorite idea for funding any state initiative – raise taxes,” said Marlatt. “Rather than looking at our budget to determine where we might have an imbalance or need for reprioritization, they would prefer to simply take it from the taxpayers. Oklahomans have roundly rejected this approach to governance, and expect their Legislature to govern with greater efficiency and an appreciation for their tax contributions.”
Kouplen refutes Marlatt’s claim that the Democrats want a tax increase.
“Requesting a delay or halt to an income-tax cut that was enacted when Oklahoma supposedly had the third-strongest economy in the U.S. is not a tax increase. If the senator thinks that maintaining the income-tax rate at the existing level is equivalent to a tax increase, he took a different math class than I did,” said Kouplen.
The Woodward Republican wants to use money from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund to help pay for the teacher pay increases. According to Marlatt, the fund has a balance of nearly $1 billion. He claims using the money would not hinder the progress the state has made in reducing smoking rates.
“If Oklahoma taxpayers are given the option, I am confident they will conclude that a teacher pay raise is the best possible use for these funds right now,” Marlatt said. “Utilizing these funds to pay for a teacher pay increase is a politically feasible, workable plan that Oklahomans would be willing to support. Our teacher shortage has reached a crisis point, and our teacher salaries continue to fall further behind those of our regional competitors. Despite the criticism of Oklahoma Democrats, I have offered the only plan that shows where in state government we have the money to fund a teacher pay raise. In addition, I think most Oklahomans would agree that my proposal is preferable to an income tax hike in a time of economic uncertainty.”
The Beggs Democrat says once the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Fund is tapped, lawmakers will be more likely to return to that well.
“And while we’re debating whether to rob the constitutionally protected Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund to finance a teacher pay raise – and you can be assured that that would be just the first of numerous raids on TSET funds – let’s deal with other critical issues, too, like the Corrections Department, health care, county roads and bridges, the Department of Human Services, and mental health, just to name a few. I’m sure those folks are busy rearranging their deck chairs, as well,” said Kouplen.
It is very obvious the blood suckers at the state capital won’t be satisfied until the taxes reach 100%. I have worked hard most of my 75 years and the teachers and the politicians are never satisfied.
M., Grace, the fact that there are fewer teachers per student now compared to your 75 years ago seems to have no bearing in your reasoning. The road to satisfaction for them is to just leave this state. Too bad your politicians don’t feel the same.