OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt wants to keep funding for public schools flat this year as he seeks a 0.25% income tax cut.

In his proposed executive budget for the upcoming fiscal year, Stitt recommends keeping funding for most state agencies level with the prior year.

The budget proposal Stitt presented to the Oklahoma Legislature on Monday will serve as a starting point for negotiations as key lawmakers craft a state budget during the legislative session that ends in May.

Although it appears Stitt is proposing a $160 million decrease for the state Department of Education, which would bring the agency’s budget to $3.81 billion next year. In reality, the proposed decrease stems from the expiration of one-time funding.

The Legislature, in conjunction with Stitt, increased public education funding by $625 million last year to earmark millions for teacher pay raises and school facilities and to put more money into the education funding formula.

“I’m calling for flat budgets across state government this year,” Stitt said in his State of the State speech.

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said Stitt is asking for flat agency budgets so he can afford his proposed income tax cut.

The governor’s priorities don’t always translate to lawmakers’ priorities, he said. Treat noted Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, unveiled an education plan this year to increase education funding and teacher pay.

“We’re going to continue investments in public education, school choice, all of those,” Treat said.

State agencies are struggling with inflation, said House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City.

It costs the agencies more to offer the same basic services to Oklahomans, she said.

“A flat budget is a cut,” she said.

House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said his members will review the governor’s budget.

Lawmakers began reviewing agency budget requests before the start of the session and already have begun discussing funding priorities, McCall said.

“The governor always gets the opportunity to talk about the budget first,” he said. “I’ve heard it said the governor gets to propose, and the Legislature gets to dispose.”

State Superintendent Ryan Walters previously submitted to the Legislature a State Department of Education budget that proposes a $47 million funding decrease. Similar to Stitt’s budget, Walters’ proposal also reflects one-time funding expirations.

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