Saying the measure provided no evidence of educational improvements and voicing concerns about increased costs and constitutionality, Gov. Brad Henry vetoed a bill Wednesday to move control of education standards and testing from the state Education Department.
Supporters tried to salvage Senate Bill 1111 on Wednesday until Henry vetoed it about 8:15 p.m. Backers offered changes in a separate bill, but none of the proposals addressed concerns cited in the governor’s veto message.
It was the seventh veto the Democratic governor has issued in his first year of dealing with a Republican-controlled Legislature. It’s the same number of vetoes he issued during the entire 2006 session when the Senate last was controlled by Democrats.
The Republican-backed proposal was opposed by the state Board of Education. State schools Superintendent Sandy Garrett, a Democrat, also opposed the measure.
It was supported by the Oklahoma Business and Education Coalition, a nonprofit group that says it wants to improve the state’s public schools, the Oklahoma Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers, the Association of Professional Oklahoma Educators as well as the Oklahoma City, Tulsa and state chambers of commerce.
What’s the reaction?
Backers of the bill expressed disappointment.
"Frankly, this news is really discouraging,” said Mike Neal, president and chief executive officer of the Tulsa Metro Chamber.
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