State News
Oklahoma: Education board wants use of Rainy Day Fund now
The Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — Cuts in state funding for education mean teachers at one northeastern Oklahoma school now must clean their own classrooms while their superintendent scrubs the toilets. A superintendent in a neighboring county is considering laying off five teachers. Yet another is asking veteran teachers to consider early retirement.
State Board of Education members consider the situation dire enough that they voted Tuesday to call for the immediate use of money from Oklahoma’s Rainy Day Fund, essentially asking Gov. Brad Henry to convene a special session of the Legislature, which would be required to tap those funds.
The board also approved what state Superintendent Sandy Garrett termed a “bare-bones” budget request for the next fiscal year of about $2.798 billion. That’s about $225.8 million more than was appropriated to common education during the current fiscal year.
But what was appropriated and the amount schools are receiving are far apart because of declining state revenues, which have come in below expectations for 10 straight months. State financial officials have already ordered 5 percent cuts in budget allocations to state agencies through the end of the fiscal year on June 30.
The situation is even worse for schools, Garrett said, because of declines in a revolving state fund set aside for education. Revenues from what’s known as the House Bill 1017 Fund are down 15.9 percent, or $33.8 million, from estimates for the fiscal year to date.
“We haven’t seen that decline, ever,” Garrett said. “That’s why we’re extremely concerned.”
All told, state schools have seen a 7.1 percent funding cut, she said.
Henry already has said it’s likely the state will need to tap its Rainy Day Fund, which has about $600 million, to make it through the rest of the fiscal year. The Legislature’s next regular session will be in February, but board member Tim Gilpin of Tulsa said schools can’t wait until then for financial relief.
“Who will explain to the third-grader, the sixth-grader, the sophomore in high school, that they just missed out on resources?” Gilpin said. “Our public schools are in an emergency now.”
Chad Hance, superintendent of the Amber-Pocasset district in Grady County, told the board he’s having to ask longtime teachers about retiring. “I feel like I’m going to have to cheat our students” by doing so, he said.
Jeff Taylor of the Pretty Water district in Creek County said school cleaning duties have fallen to himself and teachers.
“They don’t mind doing all those things, but they shouldn’t have to,” Taylor said.
In the Cleveland district in Pawnee County, Superintendent John Weaver said layoffs are a distinct possibility “if the Legislature does not do something now.” Teacher salaries might also be cut, he said.
“We are talking about some schools not being able to make payroll or closing their doors,” Garrett said.
After the board meeting — but unrelated to the board’s action — Henry unveiled a budget plan and said a January special session might be possible, although he didn’t specifically address the school board’s request.
Henry spokesman Paul Sund said that while the governor “agrees that we need to tap the Rainy Day Fund to protect education and other vital services,” the support of legislative leaders also would be needed “and we do not have that at this time.”
Neither House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, nor State Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, specifically addressed the school board’s action in statements they issued after the governor’s announcement.
- State News
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Audit: $108,000 taken from Missouri Veterans Commission
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A former employee of the state auditor’s office embezzled nearly $108,000 while working as an accountant for the Missouri Veterans Commission, the state auditor alleged Monday.
Stacy Griffin-Lowery was fired by the Veterans Commission in March 2008 and pleaded guilty three months later to a misdemeanor theft charge. She repaid the state $17,665, the auditor’s office said.
But Missouri Auditor Susan Montee on Monday accused Griffin-Lowery of swiping an additional $90,192 by getting reimbursed for cash advances and purchases made on her personal credit card. -
Race in Kansas’ 2nd District could heat up for GOP incumbent
TOPEKA, Kan. — A conservative Kansas legislator said Monday he will announce in a few weeks whether he will challenge freshman U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins in the Republican primary.
State Sen. Dennis Pyle’s actions in recent months suggest the Hiawatha farmer, who’s served in the Legislature since 2001, is running against Jenkins in the Aug. 2 primary. He set up a campaign organization in November and has a Web site featuring a brief video of him on his farm, asking viewers for support. -
Oklahoma tea party leaders, lawmakers envision militia
OKLAHOMA CITY — Frustrated by recent political setbacks, tea party leaders and some conservative members of the Oklahoma Legislature say they would like to create a new volunteer militia to help defend against what they believe are improper federal infringements on state sovereignty.
Tea party movement leaders say they’ve discussed the idea with several supportive lawmakers and hope to get legislation next year to recognize a new volunteer force - Missouri: Senate panel cuts $500 million from proposed budget JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Senate committee declared Thursday that it has sliced more than $500 million from Missouri’s proposed budget for next year — meeting a target set by Gov. Jay Nixon to bring it in balance.
- Kansas: Wichita-area casino in doubt after governor’s decision TOPEKA, Kan. — A proposed casino south of Wichita was in doubt Thursday after Gov. Mark Parkinson refused to grant its developers a regulatory reprieve. Partners in the $225 million Chisholm Creek project wanted to delay a state board’s decision on their plans.
- Oklahoma: Groups oppose education spending initiative OKLAHOMA CITY — A coalition of business and labor groups said Thursday it will work to defeat a ballot initiative to dramatically increase spending on public education that coalition members said would devastate the budgets of many other state services and possibly force tax increases.
- Missouri: Gov. Nixon affirms support for tuition freeze COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has no plans to sit idly while lawmakers consider whether to preserve a tuition freeze deal he assembled before the state’s dire financial status was fully known.
- Kansas: Agency uses YouTube to illustrate road woes TOPEKA, Kan. — It’s one thing to hear about potholes and state budgets. It’s another to see how the two are connected. That’s part of the thinking behind a new video presentation on YouTube this week from the Kansas Department of Transportation.
- Oklahoma: Pathologist says girl’s throat might have been cut OKLAHOMA CITY — A 7-year-old girl who was found dead in Oklahoma near the body of her suspected kidnapper likely died after her throat was cut, an independent pathologist said Wednesday, the same day the child’s funeral attracted hundreds of mourners.
- Missouri: Court overturns Arrow Rock hog ruling JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Missouri appeals court on Tuesday overturned a ruling that blocked a proposed hog farm from expanding near Arrow Rock.
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Audit: $108,000 taken from Missouri Veterans Commission
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A former employee of the state auditor’s office embezzled nearly $108,000 while working as an accountant for the Missouri Veterans Commission, the state auditor alleged Monday.
