For Immediate Release
Oklahoma Democratic Party
March 14, 2011

Oklahomans Stand Up for Their Rights and Our Children

Oklahomans from all walks of life stood together at the Capitol Oklahoma today to show that they will not tolerate their years of hardwork being taken away at the hands of Republican lawmakers.

Hundreds of teachers, along with various union members, gathered at the state Capitol in a bi-partisan effort to rally for more classroom funding and to protect their pension systems. Incoming Oklahoma Education Association President, Linda Hampton, says teachers are concerned with the number of incoming students increasing and the number of educators decreasing. With a $500 million budget shortfall, lawmakers have suggested that classroom funding will be cut.

Over a dozen bills have been, or will be, up for debate this legislative session regarding the limitation of collective bargaining rights and the shortfall of funding for public employee pension systems. Studies done by the legislature show the pension system of public employees is $16.5 billion short of being funded at 100%. Some legislative studies have suggested that, if the pension system is not corrected soon, the funding will be dry by 2020.

Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Todd Goodman, said, ”I am so inspired by people from all corners of Oklahoma coming to the Capitol in order to take a stand for working Oklahomans. Republicans, Democrats and Independents stood together today in support of education and our teachers because they know that education is the key to our future and our teachers help shape the lives of our most important resource in Oklahoma, our children.”