Committee forwards Marla Tharpe nomination to full Senate after questioning on pension challenges

The Senate Committee on Retirement and Insurance voted unanimously to forward the nomination of Marla Tharpe to the full Senate for confirmation to the board of trustees of the Teachers Retirement System of Oklahoma.

Senator Yack introduced Tharpe as the governor’s nominee to succeed herself for a four-year term; he noted she is employed by the Amber Pocasset School District and holds administrative roles there. "Should she be confirmed, she will be succeeding herself for another 4 year term," Yack said.

Tharpe told the committee she has served on the trustees board for four years and is active on the governance, nominating and audit committees. She said she has worked in the superintendent’s office at her district for 34 years and said retaining good teachers is a passion.

Members asked several questions. Senator Stewart asked whether the appointment would be affected by a change in governor; Tharpe replied the term is four years and succession would be considered at term expiration. Senator Kurt asked about the board's biggest challenges; Tharpe identified the unfunded liability as the primary issue and stated the following figures to the committee, "4 years ago... we were at 67% unfunded" and "as of currently today, we are at 80%." Those figures were presented by the nominee during questioning and recorded in the hearing.

After questions and brief closing remarks by Senator Yack the committee called the roll and recorded seven ayes, zero nays; the nomination will proceed to the full Senate.