Bill to dedicate $600M for Okla. schools scheduled

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A bill designed to increase public school funding by $600 million annually is scheduled for a hearing on the floor of the Oklahoma Senate.

The bill set for a vote on Wednesday initially diverted revenue used to repair state roads and bridges, but the Senate authors of the bill say they have made several changes.

The new plan calls for $30 million to be spent next year, an amount that will increase by $30 million each year until the $600 million figure is reached.

Stillwater Republican James Halligan is sponsoring the bill in the Senate. He says to address concerns about more revenue being earmarked, the funds would only be added in years where there is growth of at least 1 percent in the state’s General Revenue Fund.