Education Standstill Continues With House and Senate on Different Pages Over Negotiations

KOKH- It’s deadline week at the Capitol. Bills had to make it out of their opposite chamber’s committees by Thursday.

While many different topics are being tackled, education is at a standstill.

House and Senate leadership and the Governor have met a few times this week to discuss the education plan moving forward.

While there’s been conversations, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re any closer to a result.

“It’s taken all of the air out of the room on all other negotiations without a doubt,” Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, (R)-OKC said.

While that’s the Pro Tem’s opinion, the Speaker of the House said otherwise.

“I think we always find a way. And it’s not been the only thing that’s taken up our time this week,” Speaker McCall said.

Not only are there disagreements on the education plan, but also how the education negotiations are going.

“I thought that things were positive and hopefully Senate leadership is conveying that to their members,” Speaker McCall said.

President Pro Tem Treat has a different take on the mood of the conversations, “I don’t feel very hopeful this week based on progress, but we’re in April and I’ve been through this enough that we’ll have a breakthrough hopefully.”

There’s a few points of contention between the two chambers including teacher pay, a household income cap on the tax credit for private education and how to disperse money to both urban and rural public school districts.

Both chambers are adamant that they’re open to negotiations, Treat saying nothing is off the table to discuss, and McCall saying they’re willing to give.

We could have updates on the plan soon. The Speaker said he’s hoping to wrap the negotiations up next week.