The first regular session of the 59th Legislature concluded before 5 p.m. the last Friday in May as the state Constitution requires. We are still convened in special session, however, allowing us to come back to override any vetoes, if necessary. We hope to return to the Capitol in the next several weeks and conclude our business as soon as possible.
We boosted education funding to historic levels yet again this year, including money for teacher pay raises and more dollars for classroom instruction, also increasing funding for schools that receive lower amounts of ad valorem than others. I want to point out that teacher pay increases are specified for all schools whether they receive money from the student funding formula or not. This affects several school districts in our House district.
I found it necessary, however, to vote against a bill that extends tax credits to families wishing to send their children to private schools or to pursue other education alternatives. I agree a parent is the best person to decide what is best for their child. Still, I cannot support sending dollars intended for free public education – as is required by our state Constitution – to private schools, where we will not have the same input over how the money is spent or the accountability that is required of our public schools.
The peace of mind I have with this measure's passage is it at least contains provisions for reducing the amount of the tax credit if funding cuts to education become necessary.
In other business, My House Bill 2239, which would establish a pilot program to address the red cedar infestation throughout the state, was sent to the governor, but he has not yet signed it into law. He has 15 days from the date of our sine die, May 26, to do so. If he does not sign it, the measure will not become law. We did, however, include $3.2 million for the program in the Conservation Commission budget, so it is possible the study could move forward.
On a final note, I want to mention another bill that passed the House overwhelmingly but was not heard by the full Senate. House Bill 2171 would have required the board of trustees of each of the state's six retirement systems to provide a onetime stipend, valued between $1,500 and $3,200, to retirees who have been retired for two or more years. Eligible retirees who are 75 or older would have received an additional $500 with the exception of retired volunteer firefighters who would have received an additional $150.
In 2020, when we all experienced the effects of COVID, in order to balance our state budget, we cut from every state agency, and also temporarily reduced funding going to our state pensions. We set up a structure to increase the funding for several years to pay it back, and this measure would have done that. The Senate will still have the opportunity to pass this bill next year.
Please remember, if I can help you with something, do not hesitate to reach out. You also can follow regular updates on my House Facebook page or call or email anytime at (405) 557-7407 or Mike.Dobrinski@okhouse .gov.
In your service, Mike Dobrinski