Gov. Stitt announces plan, receives criticism

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Governor Kevin Stitt is looking for an training reform compromise and unveiled the Oklahoma Training and Parental Alternative Plan on Friday.

Whereas Stitt says he thinks this plan is nice, one Democratic lawmaker mentioned this plan is not something artistic.

Stitt mentioned his proposed plan places households first.

“I need college alternative. I need extra choices for folks. I wish to fund college students not programs within the state of Oklahoma,” mentioned Stitt.

He mentioned the plan would make investments $800 million in training. $300 million to the Oklahoma Scholar Fund, one other $300 million to trainer pay raises, and $200 million in the direction of a parental alternative tax credit score.

Stitt mentioned this plan took negotiation from the Home and Senate.

“There’s there’s components of it that they like, however there’s components that they are that they do not like. And however however here is the deal. I feel good negotiations, neither aspect goes to be 100% pleased and that is form of my job now’s to say guys, let’s break the logjam. Let’s get good coverage,” he mentioned. “It isn’t notably artistic. “

Democratic State Consultant Melissa Provenzano mentioned there are components of the plan she likes, such because the trainer pay raises.

” I do not disagree with that piece. That is the one piece I do not disagree with,” Provenzano mentioned.

However the tax credit, which she mentioned are mainly personal college vouchers, are one thing she will’t help.

“Even when we rolled that out to all of Oklahoma, it is your million price ticket would not even cowl the variety of college students already in our personal colleges. And whereas this has been the cornerstone dialog of college alternative, it isn’t alternative for all youngsters. It isn’t alternative for all dad and mom,” mentioned Provenzano. “Let’s simply make Oklahoma prime 10 state ineverything that we do”

NewsChannel 8 requested her if she thinks this plan will make Oklahoma a prime ten state in relation to training.

“We missed the mark on what we must be doing with our tax {dollars}. Now we have 700,000 college students in our public colleges. 95% of youngsters that stay in Oklahoma, their dad and mom are selecting our public colleges. Let’s make investments all the cash there, and so we do not have this battle,” Provenzano mentioned.

Stitt mentioned he hopes lawmakers can get this plan throughout the end line quickly.