Many state lawmakers oppose the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s plan to make teachers return their sign-on bonuses.

Oklahoma Watch said on Thursday that OSDE wanted at least $290,000 back from nine teachers who got the money but didn’t deserve all or some of it.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters (R-Okla.) said some applicants lied and that he was trying to get back taxpayer money.

But Democrats and Republicans say the department messed up.

State Rep. Forrest Bennett (D-Oklahoma City) said Superintendent Walters was blaming others for his mistake.

He said, “This program could have been a success, but his negligence and carelessness made it a disaster.”

He and state Rep. Mark McBride (R-Moore) said the department should accept the loss and that asking the teachers to pay back the money in a month would ruin them financially.

They also said they might need a legislative solution if the department doesn’t change its plan.

Kay Bojorquez told FOX 25 on Thursday that her $50,000 bonus became about $29,000 after taxes.

She faces bankruptcy after being told to pay back the full $50,000.

She told the state superintendent: “It’s terrible that he says I did something wrong… I would never do anything wrong, or harm anyone, or take anyone’s money or tax dollars.”

Rep. Bennett fears the program’s management might discourage future applicants.

State Rep. Rhonda Baker (R-Yukon) and state Sen. Adam Pugh (R-Edmond) also want the department to change its plan.

Rep. McBride said, “The old man in me says let it go, fix it, and move on.”