The Oklahoma Legislature’s plan to fix the state budget failed spectacularly this week, sending lawmakers scrambling to defend themselves from widespread criticism.
The Step Up Oklahoma plan had seemed to many like it held promise.
Now, as KOCO reports, state agencies are bracing for millions of dollars in funding cuts, which should be coming at the end of the week. Lawmakers say they need to come up with $40 million in additional revenue—no easy task in a state where raising taxes is virtually verboten.
The cuts will likely include more slashed funding to the state’s beleaguered public schools, many of which have already gone down to four-day school weeks due to crippling budget restrictions.
In addition, the Legislature failed once again to raise pay for teachers. As a result, more Oklahoma teachers are expected to leavethe state for greener pastures.