OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation has been filed to cut and replace financial ties and control of the federal government over common education in Oklahoma. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, authored Senate Bill 863 to authorize the State Department of Education to develop a ten-year plan to phase out the acceptance and use of federal funds for the support of K-12 education and project what state funds will be needed to fill the gap.

“The U.S. Constitution is very straightforward about education – this is a state power protected by the 10th Amendment and the federal overreach is alive and well in our education system,” Bullard said. “I filed SB 863 to have the Department of Education create a ten-year plan to remove the federal government where it does not belong and replace it with state funds. The federal government does not need to be in Oklahoma education.”

The proposed plan would have to be submitted to the Senate Pro Tempore, House Speaker and governor by June 30, 2024.

“Oklahoma needs to be in control of our own destiny when it comes to education – not a liberal bureaucrat from D.C. or California.  We must not put our children up to the highest bidder.  They are not for sale.  Oklahoma will be better off without federal government interference in how we educate our kids.” Bullard explained. “Schools will not lose any money, and we will be in sole control of our education system and classrooms,” Bullard said.

SB 863 will be up for consideration once the legislative session gets underway next month.