Because Gov. Brad Henry vetoed the first budget bill and joined with House Democrats to boost funding for priority programs, county teachers will get bigger pay raises and local fire fighters will receive new trucks, said Rep. Glen "Bud" Smithson (D-Sallisaw).
Although Henry and House Democrats were criticized for delaying the budget process, the additional funding would not have occurred if they had simply gone along with the budget blueprint drafted by Republicans and Senate Democrats, Smithson noted.
"By siding with the governor and holding out on the budget we were able to get more money for Oklahoma teachers," Smithson said. "Sequoyah County also got money for our local fire departments that was not in the original budget agreement."
As the Legislature wrapped up its work and prepared for final adjournment, Smithson and fellow Rep. Ed Cannaday (D-Porum) said they were satisfied with the accomplishments of the 2007 session.
Oklahoma public schools and teachers were big winners in the final $7.1 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, Smithson and Cannaday said.
The revised budget increased average teacher pay raises to $1,000 a year, up from $600 in the first budget bill. The governor and many lawmakers want to boost teacher pay to the regional average within the next two years.
The final budget provided $2.5 million to replace aging fire trucks around the state. Although the amount fell short of the $5 million sought by House Democrats, it was a significant improvement over the original budget, which contained no replacement funds.
"This fire truck replacement money came from nothing to $2.5 million in the budget agreement," Smithson said. "This should result in two or three new fire trucks for my district."
Smithson said he was pleased that the Legislature enacted his bill (HB 1027) increasing penalties for felons who possess altered toy pistols that could be used to commit robberies and other crimes. He said eight other states have been following this bill and are now modeling legislation after it.
Cannaday said he was generally pleased with the work product of the 2007 Legislature. But he expressed disappointment that the final budget did not provide more money to public schools for operating expenses such as rising energy costs.
"This budget is the best we can do collaboratively," Cannaday said. "I am grateful the governor vetoed the original budget because it helped bring all members to the table."
Cannaday said the year's accomplishments included legislation that helped Oklahoma's agricultural industry, career tech programs and rural fire departments.
Cannaday, a former teacher and principal, spoke so frequently on behalf of public schools that fellow lawmakers presented him last week with the annual "Mouth of the House" award. The tongue-in-cheek honor is given to a House member who demonstrates his or her verbal skills in floor debate.
"Education is such an enormous issue at the Capitol," Cannaday said. "With my expertise and experience in education, I was able to debate on the floor often."
Ricki Jo Agent is studying journalism and public relations at the University of Oklahoma, Norman, and assists with the page program for the Oklahoma Senate. She is a native of Sallisaw.
