Governor Proposes $359 Million Education Increase

Friday, January 26th 2007, 2:00 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Governor Brad Henry is proposing to increase spending for public education next year by $359 million, pushing the state's total education budget to almost $4 billion.

The plan outlined by the governor today includes a separate emergency expenditure of $50 million to pick up benefit costs not funded for the current fiscal year. Those funds are tied to the $3,000, across-the-board pay raises approved last year for teachers.

Henry says his education program emphasizes raising teacher salaries, preventing high school dropouts and funding college scholarships.

Henry's plan would increase funding to public schools by more than $221 million, while colleges and universities would get a $131 million boost.