Despite the support of Governor Kevin Stitt, a bill authorizing vouchers failed in the Oklahoma State Senate. Most rural Republicans support public schools. Pastors for Oklahoma z children actively opposed vouchers.
A polarizing Oklahoma bill that would dedicate $128.5 million in taxpayer dollars for private school costs failed in a late-night vote on the Senate floor Wednesday.
In a 24-22 vote, a majority of senators nixed Senate Bill 1647, called the Oklahoma Empowerment Act, effectively defeating the bill for this legislative session.
One of the most high-profile pieces of legislation this year, the bill stalled after two hours of debate and two more hours of waiting as Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, the bill’s author, tried to flip a few Republican holdouts in a last-ditch effort to advance the measure…
Had SB 1647 advanced, it would have faced a difficult road in the House, where Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said last month he wouldn’t give the bill a hearing.
McCall’s stance hasn’t changed, House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols told News 9 this week.
“Here’s the bottom line: I’m in favor of parents being able to choose,” said Echols, R-Oklahoma City. “I’m in favor of finding a way to have more parental involvement, but no, this bill is a waste of time this year.
“Speaker McCall’s not going to budge on this. It’s not going to be heard in the House…”
McCall said the bill is a non-starter for rural lawmakers, whose districts have far fewer private-school options. Even with the bill no longer drawing money out of the education funding formula — the multi-billion-dollar pot of state funds supporting public schools — it still struggled to attract enough rural Republicans to pass.
Senate Democrats almost unanimously opposed the measure. State schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister, a Democratic candidate for governor, celebrated the bill’s failure while claiming it would have “effectively destroyed public schools in Oklahoma.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Yet the Gov blames a lack of choice on his failure to educate, rather than the failure to adequately fund education.
Gov. Stitt also responded to the bill’s failure:
I am grateful to Pro Tem Greg Treat and every senator who voted to put parents in charge of their child’s education. At the same time, it is deeply concerning that so many voted to deny parents and students choices and keep them trapped in a system that has failed many Oklahoma children and left our state 49th in the nation in education. Every child deserves the opportunity to attend the school that best works for them, regardless of their zip code or income level, and I will never stop fighting to empower parents and fund students over systems.
State Superintendent running against him
Joy Hofmeister
Senate Bill 1647, a voucher scheme designed by Governor Stitt, failed late last night. This measure would have effectively destroyed public schools in Oklahoma and I’m grateful parents and communities have been heard loud and clear.
Oklahomans want strong, neighborhood schools in urban areas and in small towns across the state. We must focus on increasing support for all public school students and urgently solve the teacher shortage. Our kids can’t wait.
Hurrah for Joy Hofmeister!
“In spite of everything, I still believe people are really good at heart.” — Anne Frank
LCT: we all know that beautiful line written by Anne Frank.
But she was wrong.
Most people are “really good at heart,” but many are not. Like those who broke into her hiding place and carted her off to her death.
Diane,
You know what, you’re right.
Really great news and in a red state like Oklahoma!
Hallelujah! I spent a good portion of my adult life in Oklahoma. It has been devastating to see the power of charter support at the expense (literally) of the public schools.