OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has signed into law the largest teacher pay raise in the state's history and a massive package of tax hikes to pay for the plan.
Flanked by educators and GOP leaders, Fallin on Thursday signed a bill to give public school teachers raises of between 15 and 18 percent, an average boost of about $6,100 a year.
She also signed a bill to increase taxes on cigarettes, motor fuel, lodging and oil and gas production that would raise an estimated $450 million for lawmakers to spend.
The state's largest teacher union is still calling for a statewide walkout on Monday, arguing that lawmakers already are working to repeal the lodging tax, which generates nearly $50 million.
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