Fallin Nixes Special Session To Deal With Budget Surplus
Governor decides against special session for teacher raises
by Rick Green
Gov. Mary Fallin decided Thursday not to call a special legislative session to increase teacher salaries.
She previously floated the idea of such a session to divide up a $140.8 million budget surplus, using some of the money for the pay hikes.
Instead, she has decided to return the money to state agencies. The surplus arose because the state cut spending too much amid a revenue crisis. The money will be returned to state agencies in the same proportion as the cuts.
Michael McNutt, the governor’s spokesman, released a statement saying Fallin made her decision after it became apparent that lawmakers did not want to return for a special session.