‘Fund Education First’ Deadline Approaching

Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee reminded legislative leaders Thursday that the deadline to pass the state funding bill for public schools is next Wednesday, March 16.

“The ‘Fund Education First’ deadline is less than a week away, so it is imperative that the Senate and House work quickly to meet the deadline,” stated Coffee, R-Oklahoma City. “I have every confidence that Chairman Morgan and Chairman Benge will reach an a bipartisan agreement and that we will pass education funding by March 16.”

Republicans proposed the Fund Education First deadline as part of the part of the 2003 state budget negotiations to ensure that public education – the highest priority in the state budget – was not used as a political football.

“By ensuring education is funded early during a legislative session, we can ensure that education is never held hostage by the budget process,” said Sen. Nancy Riley, R-Tulsa, who was a public school teacher prior to being elected to the State Senate. “Not only that, but by mandating that public education is funded first every year – at least 25 days before schools districts’ deadlines for negotiating teacher contracts – we can ensure that school administrators have a better idea of their budget picture for the upcoming school year.”