By Tim Talley
The Norman Transcript

Oklahoma City- University of Oklahoma President David Boren huddled with state House Republicans Monday and urged them to support a proposed spending increase for higher education to avoid double-digit increases in student tuition.

Boren drew a blueprint for how to divide $1 billion in new revenue from economic growth and one-time windfalls during a state Capital luncheon with members of the House’s majority party that GOP lawmakers said was hosted by the University of Oklahoma Foundation.

Boren urged bipartisanship as lawmakers strike a balance between spending increases proposed by the Senate and higher education officials and a proposed income tax cut supported by House Speaker Toss Hiett, R-Kellyville, according to GOP House member who attended the luncheon.

Boren, a former Democratic governor and U.S. senator, expressed support for Republican programs, including reducing income taxes, lawmakers said.

Afterward, Boren told The Associated Press that thanks to surplus revenue the state can afford to make long-term investments in its higher education system and still implement a “reasonable tax cut.” Boren did not outline what he believes a reasonable cut would be.

“Never has the state had a $1 billion opportunity before,” Boren said. “The only thing that could possibly sidetrack it is partisan politics.”

The state Regents for Higher Education is seeking $123 million more than state lawmakers appropriated last year, an appropriation that would push Oklahoman’s higher education budget over $1 billion for the first time.

The Democrat-controlled Senate has approved a $976 million allocation for higher education that includes $87 million in new spending. But the House has committed to an increase of only about $25 million as Hiett pursues a tax cut plan that would reduce revenue by more than $500 million when fully implemented.

Hiett want to reduce Oklahoma’s top income tax rate from 6.25 percent to 4.9 percent. It would reduce state revenue by $191 million in its first year and $480 million when fully implemented.

The House has also passed legislation to eliminate the estate tax at a cost of $87.1 million a year when fully implemented.

Without adequate state funding, Oklahoma’s 25 colleges and universities face double-digit student tuition increases, Boren said.

“When we have $1 billion, it’s a shame to be thinking about double-digit fee increases, Boren said.

Boren indicated he is concerned about the income tax cut proposal supported by Hiett.

“If you’re going to do something that high, you need to put some protective trigger in it.” Boren said. A trigger would allow the tax rate to rise automatically in case of revenue shortfalls.

Republican lawmakers said they were encouraged by Boren’s presentation.

“I think the guy is a true visionary,” said Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore.

“I think President Boren is a modern-day Will Rogers.