Keating, workers union huddle

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Gov. Frank Keating, accused of slighting state workers in his budget, huddled with officials of a state workers' union Thursday and announced he will speak at the group's

Friday, February 11th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Gov. Frank Keating, accused of slighting state workers in his budget, huddled with officials of a state workers' union Thursday and announced he will speak at the group's rally on March 1.

Keating also sent a letter to state teachers in which he said it was a "myth" that he had cut school funding and that the state doesn't spend enough on schools. Figures from legislative fiscal offices show the percentage of money going to schools dropped the first four years of his administration.

But Keating said public school funding had doubled in a decade and that the state ranks high in the percentage of personal income devoted to schools. The governor, who did not include a state employee pay raise in his budget, said he was honored to accept the Oklahoma Public Employees Association's invitation to "address these talented, capable, hard-working people." He said he is sympathetic to the fact the state's public workers are the lowest paid in the nation and deserve higher wages. "The ultimate challenge, however, is to address their legitimate concerns about pay while meeting the other responsibilities of state government," he said, adding: "There are many issues that the Legislature and I must work to remedy this session, such as increasing teacher pay, improving rural health care, lowering car tag fees and providing real tax relief for all Oklahomans."

He said he is eager to "work with the OPEA this legislative session to address the issues that are important to state employees." Keating said cost savings gained by governmental efficiencies could be used to raise state wages. The governor's office said Keating and OPEA leaders agreed on several issues, including establishment of an automatic cost-of-living adjustment for retired state employees.

Ty Todd, OPEA president, called the meeting a step forward. "I know the governor appreciates the concerns of state employees," he said. "The OPEA is looking forward to a positive partnership with the governor this session."

On Wednesday, an amendment to the state teacher pay raise bill called for raising the pay of state workers by $2,500 a year, although some lawmakers have expressed doubt that the plan will survive. The amendment helped increased the cost of the bill to more than $240 million, according to unofficial estimates. Of that figure,$167 million would go for education raises and about $75 million for state worker increases. Another amendment to restore a prescription drug program would cost about $3.5 million.

Gary Jones, executive director of the OPEA, said he is moreo ptimistic about a state worker raise after the meeting with the governor. Jones said Keating "may have realized" that he and the OPEA have a lot in common. "This is a new environment," he said.

As to the likelihood that the $2,500 pay raise will stay in the teacher bill, Jones said it would force lawmakers to "make tough decisions now" and that will "make it difficult to keep it in the bill." Keating said Thursday he would like to see the Legislature send him a teacher pay bill by next Wednesday, when thousands of teachers are expected to be lobbying at the Capitol. He issued a statement saying he and his staff will be available to discuss education issues with teachers and will open the Governor's Mansion for tours on that day. "We want them to feel open on this important day," he said.