Oklahoma Lawmakers Debate $50M Expansion of Parental Choice Tax Credit

Partisan debate erupts over proposed increase to education tax credit program.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Oklahoma lawmakers engaged in a heated debate in a Budget and Appropriations Subcommittee Meeting over a proposed $50 million expansion of the state's Parental Choice Tax Credit program. The tax credit allows parents to claim up to $5,000 per child for private school tuition and other education expenses.

Why it matters

The Parental Choice Tax Credit is a controversial program that diverts public education funding to private schools. Proponents argue it gives parents more choice, while critics say it siphons resources away from public schools that serve the majority of students.

The details

Democrats and Republicans on the subcommittee clashed over the merits of increasing the tax credit cap. Supporters contend the expansion would make private education more accessible, while opponents argue it would further underfund public schools that are already struggling with tight budgets.

  • The Budget and Appropriations Subcommittee Meeting took place on February 10, 2026.

The players

Oklahoma Legislature

The state's legislative body that is debating the proposed expansion of the Parental Choice Tax Credit.

Parental Choice Tax Credit

A program in Oklahoma that allows parents to claim up to $5,000 per child for private school tuition and other education expenses.

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What’s next

The subcommittee is expected to vote on the proposed $50 million expansion in the coming weeks, setting up a likely partisan battle in the full state legislature.

The takeaway

The debate over the Parental Choice Tax Credit expansion highlights the ongoing tensions in Oklahoma over the role of public education funding and the balance between school choice and supporting the state's public school system.