OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.—Three Oklahoma unions have proposed an array of tax increases they say would
finance the funding they are demanding to avert a statewide teachers’ strike scheduled for Apr. 2. The plan, released Mar. 23 by the Oklahoma Education Association, the Oklahoma City American Federation of Teachers, and the Oklahoma Public Employees Association, would eliminate the capital-gains tax deduction and raise taxes on tobacco, gasoline, and oil and gas production. The unions say it would bring in more than $900 million a year to raise pay for teachers, school support staff, and other state workers, and to increase health-care and public-school funding. “If they don’t have the political will to pass a funding formula which provides the increased revenue which we’ve identified that we need, then there are going to be thousands of teachers and parents and students and support professionals and state workers and citizens from all across the state on April 2 that will give them the political will to do it,” OEA executive director David DuVall told reporters in Oklahoma City Mar. 23. State Senate Republicans support some parts of the plan, Senate President Pro Tem Mike Schulz said in a statement. Read more
