The Oklahoma Senate passed three bills that will help fund a teacher pay raise in Oklahoma.
As KOSU reports, the legislation increases teacher salaries an average of $6,000, and if signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin, it will be the first teacher pay raise in a decade.
Included in the legislation is an increase in taxes on oil and gas production, cigarettes and motor fuel and a bill that limits itemized deductions for Oklahoma taxpayers.
It will be the first tax increase to be signed into law in Oklahoma in 28 years.
The Senate only passed three of the 12 bills in the plan, rejecting a $5 per night fee on hotel and motel rooms and is expected to vote on the others – which include pay raises for public employees and education support staff - before the end of the week.
While elected officials applauded and high fived one another, the Oklahoma Education Association and the Oklahoma Public Employees Association confirmed they still plan to walk out on Monday.
