LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 49th Oklahoma Legislature Second Session – 2004 OKLAHOMA STATE REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION From: Carolyn McCoy & Lesa Jolly-Borin Friday, February 6, 2004 Welcome to the OSRHE Legislative Update Highlights this Week: College Connection’ Radio Program Debuts Saturday From State Regents Oklahomans are encouraged to tune in Saturday to a new radio program, “College Connection,” to find out the latest news on state and national higher education issues, as well as to hear a variety of guests provide valuable information on preparing for college. “College Connection,” sponsored by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, will air each Saturday beginning Feb. 7 on KFAQ 1170 AM in Tulsa from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. and on KOMA- News/Talk 1520 AM in Oklahoma City from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. “The State Regents look forward to the opportunity to provide information on a weekly basis that will help Oklahomans prepare for college both academically and financially,” said Chancellor Paul G. Risser. “‘College Connection’ provides families with another resource for college information while highlighting significant state and local higher education issues and featuring input from edu- cational and policy leaders.” In addition to news highlights from Oklahoma campuses and a recap of President George W. Bush’s State of the Union statement regarding community colleges, the debut program will also feature a discussion with Risser on the priorities and future of higher education in Oklahoma, as well as special guests sharing information on College Goal Sunday, a statewide event designed to provide financial aid and preparing for college information to students and their families. Zero-base Budget Committee Holds Hearing on Funding Formula By Jeff Packham - Staff Writer (GIT) The Legislative Oversight Committee on State Budget Performance received a mathematical lesson Thursday on the common education funding formula. One issue that was discussed related to individual personal property in counties. Harriet LaGrone said allowing counties to repeal these taxes had helped the taxpayers but hurt schools. In discussing the funding formula, Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, D-Ardmore, noted Texas had a system that was like "Robin Hood" and the state was looking at Oklahoma's formula as a possible model. State Superintendent Sandy Garrett said there were several legal issues involved in Texas with the formula. "They've been resued on this equity formula," Garrett said, "and they are looking at Oklahoma." Sen. Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, asked about money outside the formula - approximately $412 million - and asked if the amount went into the formula. Garrett said there could still be some fund- ing inequities in smaller schools. Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, asked if moving the money into the formula would allow the lo- cal districts more or less control, and Garrett responded it would mean more control if the mandates were loosened. Crutchfield said he understood there were a significant number of districts that were backing out of paying their share of the health insurance benefits, and instead telling teachers it was a fringe bene- fit. Garrett said the teachers were able to take it as a benefit or as cash. About half of the districts were not paying the required 17 percent, Crutchfield said, due to the wording in the law. Rep. Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, said this would be a moot issue if the fully-paid benefit allowance passed this year, and Crutchfield added half of the teachers would receive a 17- percent raise. Sen. Penny Williams, D-Tulsa, said she had a difficult time understanding why the funding formula was called a "political" issue when it had remained the same for 23 years. Garrett said it was not a partisan issue, but a battle between the large and small schools. Rep. Jack Bonny, D-Burns Flat, said every change in the funding formula had hurt small schools, and he preferred to not see it changed. Crutchfield said the funding formula was weighted to help schools with special needs, and some school officials complained about special needs schools re- ceiving extra money. "You shouldn't have the money if you don't have the need," Crutchfield offered as a response to those complaints. Sen. Ben Robinson, D-Muskogee, asked about the gifted students programs, and LaGrone said some districts did not put in the time to calculate the numbers. Bonny pointed out there was an at- tempt to qualify band students and even athletes as "gifted," but LaGrone said the individuals would all have to pass a test designed to qualify the students. LaGrone discussed the formula weight and said a student could be worth several people in relation to funding, depending on the needs of the student. Crutchfield said weighting was important and pointed out it might be tougher for a teacher to instruct one student with special needs than a group of regular students. 2 Bill Would Require Regents to Disclose Planned Tuition Increases From House Media (OKLAHOMA) Legislation would require state institutions of higher education to disclose pro- posed tuition and/or fee increases before state lawmakers appropriate funds to public colleges and universities. HB 1822 was assigned to the House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education. The author of the measure is Rep. Joe Sweeden, D-Pawhuska, chairman of the House Committee on Government Operations, Agency Oversight and Administrative Rules, as well as a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committee. “I just want the State Regents to appear at the Capitol each February, after the start of the legisla- tive session, and tell us how much they plan to raise their tuition and fees for the coming year,” he said. “When we appropriate their money, we would know how much they’re going to have in extra revenue, and we could appropriate funds accordingly.” He stressed that in no way would his legislation prevent university regents from raising tuition, nor would it reimpose annual caps on increases that the Legislature lifted last year. HB 1822 would require higher-education regents to submit to the State Regents, prior to Feb. 1 each year, a report outlining the amount of, and the justification for, tuition and fee increases, plus the anticipated impact of any rate increases upon students and the school’s budget. The State Regents for Higher Education would have to inform the Legislature and the Governor prior to Feb. 15 each year of “all proposed tuition and fee increases...” Before March 15 each year, the appropriations and budget committees of the House and Senate would meet with the higher education Chancellor and representatives of universities and colleges who are asking for tuition increases for the next succeeding academic year. “For the Legislature to be able to appropriate money properly, we must know how much fees and tuition are going up before we can adequately assist them in the budget process,” he said. Sweeden said he wants to be an advocate for students who qualify for little or no financial assis- tance. “I don’t want to be responsible for not giving every single child in Oklahoma an opportunity to do their absolute best academically,” he said. “The children we teach today are the leaders of tomorrow.” 3 Committee Agendas for the week of February 9 – 13, 2004 Human Services (H) Agenda, Monday, 02/09/2004, AAI Location: Room 108, State Capitol Bldg. Meeting will convene After Adjournment I 1. Discussion of Legislation... [MORE] Tracked Bills On Agenda: [HB2375*] Corrections (H) Agenda, Monday, 02/09/2004, Morning Meeting will convene After Adjournment I Discussion of Legislation Other Business... [MORE] Tracked Bills On Agenda: [HB1853*] Public Safety and Homeland Sec (H) Agenda, Monday, 02/09/2004, 08:30 AM Location: Room 512A, State Capitol Bldg. H - Public Safety and Homeland Security 1. Discussion of Legislation Committee Substitute for: HB2336... [MORE] Tracked Bills On Agenda: [HB2280*] Agriculture & Rural Dvlpmnt. (H) Agenda, Monday, 02/09/2004, 09:00 AM Discussion of Legislation Other Business ... [MORE] Tracked Bills On Agenda: [HB2217*] [HB2219*] Education (S) Agenda, Monday, 02/09/2004, 09:30 AM Location: State Capitol, Rm. 419-C S-Education Agenda 1. Discussion of legislation 2. Other business... [MORE] Tracked Bills On Agenda: [SB0849*] [SB1112*] [SB1115*] [SB1271*] [SJR0028*] Judiciary (H) Agenda, Monday, 02/09/2004, 01:30 PM Location: Room 412C, State Capitol Bldg. H - Judiciary Committee Meeting will con- vene at 1:30 p.m. or After Adjournment I 1. Discussion of Legislation Committee Substi- tutes for: HB2661 HB1494... [MORE] Tracked Bills On Agenda: [HCR1046*] Criminal Justice (H) Agenda, Tuesday, 02/10/2004, AAII Location: State Capitol, Rm. 412-C H-Criminal Justice Agenda 1. Discussion of legisla- tion 2. Committee Substitute for: HB2176 3. Other business ... [MORE] Tracked Bills On Agenda: [HB2122*] Finance (S) Agenda, Tuesday, 02/10/2004, 09:00 AM Location: Room 511A, State Capitol Bldg. S - Finance Committee 1. Discussion of Leg- islation 2. Other Business... [MORE] Tracked Bills On Agenda: [SB1489*] Judiciary (S) Agenda, Tuesday, 02/10/2004, 09:30 AM 4 Location: State Capitol, Rm. 419-C S-Judiciary 9:30 a.m. or AAI Agenda 1. Discussion of legislature 2. Other business... [MORE] Tracked Bills On Agenda: [SB0889*] [SB1152*] [SB1377*] Govt Ops, Oversight, Admin Rul (H) Agenda, Tuesday, 02/10/2004, 01:30 PM Location: State Capitol, Rm. 108 H-Government Operations, Agency Oversight & Ad- ministrative Rules Committee 1:30 or AAI (if session ends before noon, the meeting will start at 1:30) Agenda 1. D... [MORE] Tracked Bills On Agenda: [HB1018*] [HB1851*] [HB2090*] [HB2277*] [HB2320*] [HB2392*] [HB2506*] Retirement & Group Health (S) Agenda, Tuesday, 02/10/2004, 02:00 PM Location: Room 419C, State Capitol Bldg. S - Retirement and Group Health Committee Meeting will convene at 2:00 p.m.
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