Oklahoma House Democrats address $12 billion HBCU funding gap

OKLAHOMA CITY, (KOKH) — Oklahoma House Democrats came together to discuss the underfunding of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

Rep. Jason Lowe, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa, focused on a report released by the United States Department of Education that confirmed HBCUs were underfunded by $12 billion.

"I am disappointed in the legislature's choice to exclude appropriations for Langston University in the state's budget," said Lowe. "While this is discouraging, we will not stop fighting for equal funding for Langston University."

One report identified that Langston University had been underfunded by $160 million in the past decade.

"For years, at the Oklahoma State Legislature, we have asked for equity in funding for Langston University, a historically black land grant institution," said Goodwin. "Instead of the minimum 1 to 1 federal to state dollar match, Langston University has received approximately .46 cents to every federal dollar."

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