The Latest: Oklahoma teachers union seeks more funding

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The state’s largest teachers union is asking Oklahoma lawmakers for more than $400 million in additional funding, partially to cover pay raises for teachers and support personnel.
The Oklahoma Education Association announced their budget proposal on Wednesday, just hours after a state panel certified a record $8.2 billion in revenue available for lawmakers to spend next year. That’s an increase of about $612 million over the current year.
OEA President Alicia Priest says the union is seeking an additional $3,000 raise for teachers, a $2,500 boost for support personnel, and $150 million for school operations. The OEA also wants an 8 percent cost-of-living adjustment for retired teachers.
Oklahoma teachers received an average pay hike of $6,100 this year, but went forward with a strike in the spring seeking more money for school programs and operations.