Oklahoma Senate leaders have proposed a $254 million education spending plan that would redirect more than half of the projected $454 million in teacher retirement system contributions for fiscal year 2027. The plan would cap future retirement deposits at $200 million and use the redirected funds for initiatives such as a $2,500 teacher pay raise, expanded literacy programs, and an increase to the parental school choice tax credit . Supporters say the retirement system remains strong and that no benefits would be cut, while House leaders have expressed concern about potentially impacting the long-term stability of teacher pensions.
Gov. Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 480 into law, allowing large electricity users in Oklahoma to generate their own power on-site instead of relying solely on the public grid. Supporters say the change will attract data centers, AI operations and advanced manufacturers by cutting red tape and protecting residential customers from higher infrastructure costs . The law takes effect July 1 and comes as several Oklahoma communities see growing interest in cloud and AI-related facilities. Lawmakers are also considering related measures to manage grid demand and limit potential rate impacts on residents.
Oklahoma House Rep. Chris Kannady has filed to run as a Republican for the state’s next attorney general, joining a growing field of candidates. Kannady, who represents Oklahoma City, previously served in the U.S. Marines and currently serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Oklahoma Air National Guard. He will face two other Republican candidates and one Democrat in the race. The current attorney general, Gentner Drummond, is running for governor, leaving the seat open.
A new state report shows that several Oklahoma agency executives received large six-figure raises last year, while most rank-and-file state employees have not had a pay increase since 2019. In some cases, executive salaries rose by more than 10%, 20% or even doubled, including a Department of Commerce position that increased from $141,000 to $300,000. Employee advocates and some lawmakers criticized the raises, saying they hurt morale and misuse taxpayer funds. Meanwhile, a separate report found thousands of state workers are paid below competitive market rates.
Weekly Wrap Up
Upcoming Deadlines
03/05: Deadline for Bills and Joint Resolutions to be Reported from Committee of Origin (Senate)
03/18-20: Legislative Spring Break-House Not in Session (Senate TBD)
03/26: Deadline for Third Reading and Final Passage of Bills and Joint Resolutions by the Chamber of Origin (House and Senate)
To see the full legislative calendar, click the link to view the House Calendar and Senate Calendar.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“In just one year, President Trump has turned this country around. Under the previous Administration, our country had turned a blind eye to illegal immigration, we had lost respect on the world stage, and inflation was skyrocketing,” Representative Tom Cole said regarding President Trump’s State of the Union address. “Now, the American Dream is back. The United States is strong, prosperous, and respected – and, as President Trump said, the state of our union is strong.”