As Oklahoma teachers stayed out of classrooms and in the state capitol pressing for increased education funding for a fifth day, the state Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of a tax on third party internet sales like Amazon Marketplace. That move is expected to generate an additional $20 million for schools. A similar amount would come from a bill allowing ball and dice games in Oklahoma casinos, a measure that is expected to pass. But the big money teachers are fighting for is in a bill the state House has tabled repeatedly:
Lawmakers might need to think hard about that bill—which would affect only 18,000 Oklahomans—or others that will provide significant education funding, because the teachers are maintaining strong public support, with an independent poll finding 72 percent of voters support the walkout “until all of their demands are met.”