Parental choice tax credit expansion advances in Oklahoma House
- mike33692
- 1 day ago
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Parental choice tax credit expansion advances in Oklahoma House committee
A proposal to expand the parental choice tax credit cleared a House budget committee on a 7–4 vote, advancing legislation that would raise the cap on the program and allow it to grow in future years based on demand.
Supporters say House Bill 3705 is designed to give families more flexibility in education options while maintaining limits on how much state funding can be allocated to the tax credit program each year.
Parental choice tax credit tied to demand
Committee Chairman Representative Chad Caldwell said the measure includes a trigger mechanism that increases the program cap only when participation rises. He emphasized the plan does not automatically expand spending but responds to parent demand for private-school assistance.
Budget policy discussions surrounding school funding often reference analysis from the Oklahoma House of Representatives and statewide education finance data compiled by the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
Concerns about impact on public school funding
Several lawmakers questioned whether expanding the parental choice tax credit could reduce funding available to public schools. Caldwell said the program operates within a capped funding structure and does not directly shift dollars from existing public education allocations.
Education funding debates frequently involve projections and oversight tied to the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services, which tracks how tax policy changes influence overall state revenue.
Program participation and income data
Supporters of the legislation point to participation trends showing broad use of the tax credit across income levels. Caldwell said about 61 percent of funds distributed under the program last fiscal year went to families earning less than $150,000 annually.
The bill now moves forward in the legislative process, where additional amendments and fiscal reviews are expected before it reaches a full House vote.
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