The 2016 legislature will convene Monday and a gloomy picture of state funding was presented Friday morning by three area lawmakers.
The trio, State Sen. Roger Thompson and Representatives Steve Kouplen and Jerry Shoemake, pointed out their are going to be struggling with a tough budget.
clason resolutionSpeaking at the monthly Chamber of Commerce legislative breakfast, the elected officials said the state is facing a shortfall of over $900 million.
"That does not include the rainy day and revolving funds," said Sen. Thompson. He projected that would put the shortage between $1.2 and $1.4 billion.
Much of those funding issues are expected to hit schools. Thompson presented the 2016 fiscal year budget that showed $2,848,873,132 allocated to the state board of education. That was the highest expenditure of all state agencies.
He sad there are a number of bills filed this year dealing with education including a pay increase for teachers from a one cent sales tax to consolidation of smaller schools.
"If we don't touch education this year, every other agency will have to take a 15 percent cut," he said. "We can't do that."
Kouplen said one avenue to explore is the tax credits and exemptions. He explained there are some $7 billion that gets collected but the majority of that money is paid back in the form of exemptions and credits. "Last month we had a net gain of zero corporate taxes because of the exemptions and credits," he stated. "Not long ago, Gov. Fallin said we were the third best economy in the United States but we still did not give teachers pay raises and had a deficit budget."
"We have got to get it under control," added Rep. Shoemake. "Transferrable tax credit is a never-ending cycle." He pointed out between $375 and $380 million in transferrable tax credits were issued in December.
"We want to take care of our core services and the education of our children," Thompson said.

CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO FROM THE MEETING


He some one of the bills includes language that would allow schools to use bond money to pay teachers salaries. Thompson was critical of one report of teachers asking for a $500 bonus if they were present throughout the year. "The board turned them down but tried around and gave a $5,000 pay raise to administrators. Within my district, all but one superintendent makes over $100,000 a year."
He said the issue with some of the smaller schools is driving the push toward consolidation. "You can almost stand in Henryetta and see five districts. "We have school buses passing each other because the schools and in competition with each other for students."
Another issue facing lawmakers is the department of corrections. Although that agency operates on a $484,900,943 appropriation, he said there are repair and improvement needs. "We have not made any capital expenditures on our prisons," he said.
Even though there are some privately-operated prisons in the state, Kouplin said he was not in favor of turning it over entirely to private business. "When they realize they are the only source, they have the upper hand," he said talking about negotiations with private operators.
At the end of the hour-long breakfast meeting, Thompson presented Jennifer Clason with a Resolution recognizing her selection as Henryettan of the Year. The resolution cites her selection as first female mayor of the town along with her work throughout the community.