The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Thursday heard two challenges to a proposed ballot initiative that would raise taxes on oil and natural gas production to provide a pay raise for teachers.

Led by oil and natural gas industry representatives, the challenges centered on the clarity of the proposal and its description, and on whether the initiative would violate the state's constitutional requirement that state questions embrace only one subject.

An attorney for the initiative proponents, however, said the language is clear and legal and that voters should have a chance to decide on the issue.

If approved by voters in November, State Question 795 would set the gross production tax on oil and natural gas at 7 percent. The tax rate currently is 2 percent of for the first three years of production before it increases to 7 percent. The additional tax revenue would be used to pay for a $4,000 teacher pay raise.