OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A coalition of Oklahoma educators and civic leaders has filed an initiative petition calling for a statewide vote on a proposed one-cent sales tax to fund public schools and give teachers a raise.
The coalition known as "Oklahoma's Children, Our Future" filed the initiative petition Wednesday with the Oklahoma Secretary of State's office. Supporters say it would address Oklahoma's teacher shortage as well as boost college affordability, raise reading rates, improve graduation rates and expand career and technology training.
The measure proposes a one-cent sales tax that would generate about $615 million a year. Much of the revenue would be used to increase the state's minimum teacher salary schedule by $5,000 a year.
Alex Weintz, spokesman for Governor Mary Fallin, says she has not taken a position on the proposal.