'That isn't how this building works': Senate Ed Chair comments on House Speaker's proposal
Oklahoma lawmakers are out of the Capitol for spring break, and the standstill on education policies continues on.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — Oklahoma lawmakers are out of the Capitol for spring break, and the standstill on education policies continues on.
It was a short but busy week at 2300 N Lincoln Blvd.
A handful of Senate Education Chair, Adam Pugh's bills passed his chamber.
The question on many Oklahomans minds though is after House Speaker Charles McCall's last press conference, will they ever make it across the rotunda?
"We are prepared not to consider any further education bills this session until those two bills are considered on the senate floor," Speaker McCall said.
In his announcement, he's referring to the two House education plan bills, still unheard by the Senate.
This week the Senate Education Chair shared his opinions on the rhetoric.
"It's never just take it or leave it or it's my way or no way. That isn't how this building works and everybody who steps into this building knows that," Senator Pugh said.
While the Senate hasn't taken up the plan, they did pass many of Senator Pugh's education bills this week.
His plan includes a stipend for mentor teachers, an initiative to improve early childhood literacy and what he calls the most comprehensive teacher recruitment plan in the country.
"That program would pay for not just tuition, which is a pretty traditional teacher scholarship program, but also fees," Sen. Pugh said.
The House Speaker isn't completely shutting down the Senate options yet.
"I thought that Senator Pugh had some great ideas in his education plan that he rolled out, or at least press conferenced on earlier this year," Speaker McCall said. "We could certainly be for some of those components."
Speaker McCall did emphasize that the House bills have to be considered without amendments first though.
As a voice for Edmond school districts, one of Senator Pugh's issues with the House plan is the $2M cap on per pupil spending. He's concerned it will disproportionally impact suburban schools and the families he represents.
Instead, he'd rather focus on a different outlet for investing in education.
"So the funding formula is the mechanism to move dollars into the education system and make sure they are distributed fairly to every school district," Sen. Pugh said.
What becomes the decision on education could have a ripple effect on other areas of the budget, including tax reform.
Senator Pugh said he hopes good policy doesn't die.
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