Reactions roll in over Gov. Stitt's school choice compromise proposal

Governor Kevin Stitt's proposal to break the legislative impasse over school choice legislation is being met with a wide range of reactions.

Read below for statements from:

• House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka (cautiously positive)
• Oklahoma Farm Bureau (positive)
• House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-OKC (negative)
• Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Edmond (somewhat negative)

Also, you should read NonDoc's article, Stitt’s education compromise: ‘A positive step’ for House, Senate ‘to review’.

Speaker Comments on Governor's Education Plan

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 21st) – Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, today released the following statement in reaction to the unveiling of Gov. Kevin Stitt's education proposal, the Oklahoma Education and Parental Choice Plan:  

“The House is in the process of reviewing the Governor’s proposed education plan and will continue discussions both internally and with our colleagues in the Senate.

Upon initial review, the plan looks like a positive step in the right direction for education in Oklahoma.

As negotiations progress over the coming days, the House will continue to focus on passing an education plan that works for every student, every parent, every teacher and every school in the state.

I want to thank Governor Stitt for his work during education negotiations and I look forward to further conversations with both him and Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat as we continue to chart a course for the future of education in Oklahoma.” – Speaker Charles McCall

OKFB applauds Stitt’s education funding plan

April 21, 2023 – Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Rodd Moesel released the following statement today supporting Gov. Kevin Stitt’s proposed education reform compromise:

“Oklahoma Farm Bureau applauds Gov. Kevin Stitt for creating an education funding proposal that strikes a balance for residents of rural Oklahoma and our urban friends while incorporating key ideas from both the House and Senate education plans.

“The governor’s three main allocation areas are an equitable solution that will help fund rural schools, reward our rural educators for the tremendous job they do while ensuring we can recruit and retain the next generation of Oklahoma teachers, and create a mechanism to provide school choice without removing funding from our rural districts.

“Farm Bureau members fully understand the importance of education for students all across our state, and we ask the state House and Senate to continue negotiations to find a fair and balanced solution to provide much-needed education funding in Oklahoma. Our rural schools play a pivotal role in energizing and sustaining our rural communities, and we feel this proposal would provide the resources our local schools need to educate our children.”

House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson’s Comments on Governor's Education Plan

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 21st) – House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, today released the following statement in reaction to Gov. Kevin Stitt's education proposal:  

"We know that Oklahomans are counting on solutions so that all families can send their children to great public schools.

Public dollars should go to public schools. The Governor’s plan moves money away from public schools to private schools.

The Governor’s education plan prioritizes vouchers for private schools and reduces teacher pay raises and public classroom funding. House and Senate Democrats have chosen to prioritize public school students and teachers because 95% of Oklahomans make the choice to attend a public school."

Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, as quoted by NonDoc:

“We are currently reviewing the plan the governor has proposed,” Treat said in a statement. “At first glance, it is undeniably similar to the House plan that the Senate, as well as other education groups, had issues with, which is why we amended the bills in the first place. We will take the weekend to review the governor’s plan, bring it up in our weekly Monday caucus meeting and respond in due course.”