Data obtained from the Oklahoma Tax Commission reveals that a significant portion of families benefiting from Oklahoma’s tax credit for private school expenses earn over $150,000 annually.

Legislative Approval and Prioritization

The tax credit plan was approved by Oklahoma lawmakers during the 2023 legislative session, following the failure to pass a private school voucher system in the previous year. The program was designed to provide opportunities for low-income families to access private education.

Income Limit Debate

During negotiations, there was disagreement among lawmakers regarding the inclusion of an income limit. While some argued for an income cap to prioritize lower-income families, others, like House Speaker Charles McCall, opposed it, expressing concerns about fairness.

Priority System Compromise

To address these concerns, a priority system was established. Families earning below $150,000 annually were designated as priority, while those earning above this threshold were classified as non-priority.

Program Enrollment Breakdown

Data from the Oklahoma Tax Commission indicates a breakdown in program enrollment:

• Program Limit: $150 million
• Amount Awarded to Priority: $101 million
• Amount Awarded to Non-Priority: $49 million
• Number of Applications: 36,000
• Priority Applications: 16,800
• Non-Priority Applications: 11,000
• Denied Applications: 5,600 (due to program capacity)
• Incomplete Applications: Remaining, due to insufficient documentation or incomplete submissions

Criticism and Concerns

State Representative Andy Fugate, who opposed the program, raised concerns about the allocation of funds, particularly the significant portion going to families with higher incomes. He also criticized the lack of data collection on enrollment in private schools and educational outcomes.

Lack of Data Transparency

Despite requests for data on enrollment in private schools, the Oklahoma Tax Commission stated it did not have access to such information. Fugate suggested that this lack of transparency was intentional and highlighted the absence of testing to assess educational outcomes.

Legislators’ Silence

Efforts to gather comments from Republican legislators who supported the program yielded no on-the-record responses.

Conclusion: Calls for Transparency and Accountability

The distribution of funds in Oklahoma’s tax credit program raises questions about fairness and accountability. Critics highlight the need for greater transparency in data collection and evaluation to ensure that taxpayer money is effectively allocated and that educational outcomes are monitored.

For the latest news and updates, download The Local News App.

Source