3 GOP Gubernatorial Hopefuls Pan Plan For Teacher Pay
Three GOP gubernatorial candidates say they wouldn’t have signed pay raise package
by Chris Casteel
Three Republican gubernatorial candidates said they would not have signed the revenue and teacher pay raise package that promises a $6,100 annual increase for the average teacher.
In a candidate forum on KOKC radio aired Monday, Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, Tulsa businessman Kevin Stitt and Tulsa attorney Gary Richardson said they would not have signed the package. Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett did not say what he would have done.
Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones said he would have signed the package because it mirrored one that he offered with Democratic legislators.
Lawmakers two weeks ago approved a $474 million package that includes a boost in oil and gas production taxes; higher gas and diesel taxes; and a $1-a-pack increase in the cigarette tax. Gov. Mary Fallin signed the package. The teacher walkout began a few days after the package was signed.