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Lawmaker's plan for teacher pay raise includes raising taxes on those who earn more Share Shares Copy Link Copy

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WEBVTT TE LAWMAKER TO SHORE UP OKLAHOMA'S SHAKY EDUCATION. KOCO'S CRYSTAL PRICE IS AT THE CAPITOL. CRYSTAL: THIS PLAN WOULD INCLUDE RAISING TAXES FOR THOSE WHO MAKE MORE THAN WHILE THIS $100,000. PERSONA THINKS THE PLAN WILL WORK FROM OTHERS ARE NOT SO SURE. >> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PAYING TEACHERS A FAIR WAGE HERE IN OKLAHOMA. CRYSTAL: REPRESENTATIVE JASON DUNNINGTON IS PROPOSING TO PLACE HIGHER TAXES ON PEOPLE MAKING $100,000 OR MORE TO HELP FUND MONEY FOR A TEACHER PAY RAISE. HIS PROPOSAL WOULD INCREASE TAXES BY 1% FOR THOSE WHO MAKE MORE THAN $100,000 AND 2% FOR HOUSEHOLDS THAT MAKE OVER $200,000. HE SAYS THIS WOULD CREATE $500 MILLION WORTH OF RECURRING REVENUE THAT WOULD GO TOWARD TEACHER PAY RAISES. >> IT SEEMS LIKE THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO ASK THOSE WHO ARE MOST CAPABLE TO HELP US OUT. CRYSTAL: BUT SOME LAWMAKERS AREN'T SURE. LESLIE OSBORN CHAIR OF THE APPOPRIATIONS AND BUDGET COMMITTEE, TOLD US THAT PROPOSALS TO INCREASE TAXES USUALLY HAVE NO VIABILITY IN THE LEGISLATURE. BUT REPRESENTATIVE DUNNINGTON SAYS HE DOESN'T FEEL THERE'S ANY OTHER WAY TO DO IT. >> MOST OF OUR STATE AGENCIES HAVE BEEN CUT TO THE BONE OR BEYOND THERE JUST IS NOT MORE MONEY IN THOSE AGENCIES TO PULL OUT OF IN ORDER TO PAY FOR THINGS LIKE A TEACHER PAY RAISE. WE NEED NEW RECURRING REVENUE. CRYSTAL: DUNNINGTON SAYS THIS PLAN WOULD CREATE A $5,000 PAY