Editor's Notebook

A potential State Question (843) and a Senate Bill by ProTem Lonnie Paxton both have the attention of public school officials in Oklahoma.

SQ 843 calls for the elimination of property taxes on Homestead Initiatives.

It could possibly appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

Specifically, the ballot initiative would provide a 33.3 percent exemption in tax year 2027, a 66.67 percent exemption in 2028 and a 100 percent exemption in 2029 and thereafter.

“If fully implemented it would mean a loss of $1.2 billion for schools and tech centers,” Purcell Superintendent Dr. Sheli McAdoo said.

“And 20 percent would be conservative. There is no plan for State Aid to replace this loss of revenue,” McAdoo continued.

“I am also concerned about the future bonding capacity.  The taxable base would be so small that we would not be able to borrow enough money to fund a large project,  such as a new elementary building.”

All the while Gov. Stitt is wanting to give more of public schools’ state funding to parents that are sending their children to private schools.

Those who are already sending kids to private schools generally aren’t the people who need financial assistance.

At some point lawmakers must realize they have got to fund state government.

Another kicker is the bill by President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton.

SB 1809’s primary goal is to raise the homestead exemption from $1,000 to $5,000.

It’s a measure designed to reduce property taxes for homeowners and was passed by a Senate committee in February 2026.

Key details regarding SB1809 and other efforts include:

SB1809 ($5,000 Exemption): Sponsored by Sen. Paxton, this bill increases the deduction from a home’s assessed value, potentially saving homeowners more on property taxes starting in 2027.

A House bill by Rep. Robert Manger would push the exemption to $7,000.

At this rate we won’t be No. 50 in the nation in education, but will need a whole new category we will be so low.