Oklahoma City Metro


800.522.8091
405.528.7785

Southwest
Daniela Newville
dnewville@okea.org
800.522.8091
405.528.7785

Northwest


800.522.8091
405.528.7785

Tulsa Metro
Pat Smith
psmith@okea.org
800.522.8091
405.528.7785

Northeast
Jim Bynum
jbynum@okea.org
800.331.5143
918.665.2282

Southeast
Jerry Johnson
jjohnson@okea.org
800.522.8091
405.528.7785

Danielle Durant
ddurant@okea.org
Center Assistant
800.522.8091
405.528.7785

Joel Robison
jrobison@okea.org
Associate Executive Director
800.522.8091
405.528.7785

January 27, 2010

Education Cuts Reduced from 10 Percent to Four

For the past few months, schools have endured cuts ranging from 5-10 percent, totaling $44 million in reduced state aid. However, the governor and legislative leaders announced today that schools will receive supplemental funding, effectively reducing the cuts to four percent. The supplemental funding applies to the current 2010 fiscal year only. OEA leadership is confident that education cuts will be limited to four percent.

A Bit of Sunshine in the Legislative Forecast

Despite the cloudy forecast, there are some bills that may provide a ray of sunshine for education employees.

• Bullet pointSB 2084 – authored by Sen. Kenneth Corn of Poteau, calls for a $2,000 teacher pay raise and a $1,000 pay raise for support employees. It would also provide school employees with paid family health insurance and increase the National Board Certification stipend.

• Bullet pointSB 1951 – authored by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm of Durant, would reduce insurance copays back to former levels in 2009. This January, Healthchoice premiums rose and copays soared from $25 to $50.

• Bullet pointSJR 50 (Senate Joint Resolution) – authored by Sen. Harry Coates of Seminole, is a constitutional amendment that would exempt common education from budget cuts in the event of a budget deficit.

• Bullet pointHB 2832 – authored by Rep. Ron Peters of Tulsa, would slowly phase in paid dependent coverage for education employees.

Lobby Day March 24th— Start Planning Now

In lieu of budget cuts, we know some districts are not providing or are limiting the use of substitute teachers. It is imperative that you start making plans now to attend OEA’s March 24 Lobby Day. Some local associations have secured parent volunteers or other district-approved adults to volunteer to cover their classrooms for the day. Lobby Day will tentatively begin at 9 a.m. and go through lunch, which will be provided. Lobby Day is a great opportunity to meet your hometown legislators face to face and discuss issues that are important to you. Participants also will experience the camaraderie of joining nearly a hundred other school employees statewide in lobbying for education issues.

“E-troduce” Yourself to Your Legislators

Click here to introduce yourself by email to your legislators.

Legislative Update

NEA Legislative Action Center

Recent Actions

Take Action

NEA Legislative Priorities

Transforming America's Public Schools: NEA's Federal Policy Guide for the 111th Congress

Congressional Report Card

Federal Legislative Updates