Bill Promoting Transparency in Education Spending Advances

In an effort to further promote transparency in how taxpayer dollars are spent, State Sen. Randy Brogdon has authored Senate Bill 1633, creating the School District Transparency Act. The measure builds on 2007’s Taxpayer Transparency Act, also authored by Brogdon, which created a website so taxpayers could see exactly how the state spends their dollars. The School District Transparency Act won approval in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Wednesday.

“The 2007 legislation was a landmark achievement—a critical first step toward ensuring Oklahomans would have full disclosure of where and how their tax dollars are being used,” said Brogdon, R-Owasso. “With that website now a reality, it is time to move to the next phase. My legislation would require all school district spending to be online so that everyone can see how Oklahoma’s education dollars are spent.”

Brogdon said SB 1633 has the support of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sandy Garrett as well as the Oklahoma Education Association (OEA). Brogdon said the education spending website would give patrons, educators and administrators the tools they need to ensure Oklahoma schools are getting the most out of public funding.

“Greater transparency will help all of us see more clearly how public funds are being used in every district in the state, and whether there might be a better way to utilize those same funds in specific areas that can help our schools get more bang for the buck,” Brogdon said.

SB 1633 must next be considered by the full Senate Appropriations Committee.