Tulsa World
By RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer
Published: 8/19/2010 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 8/19/2010 6:19 AM
JENKS - Just about everyone agrees that State Question 744 - if voters approve it Nov. 2 - would be transformational for Oklahoma.
The dispute is whether that transformation would be more like a rocket to the moon or a train wreck.
"This is a monster that gobbles up money," said Jeff Wilson of One Oklahoma, an anti-SQ 744 coalition.
To which Joel Robinson of the proposition-backing Oklahoma Education Association said: "It's a very simple proposition. Should Oklahoma provide kids the same investment in common education as surrounding states?"
The two men spoke Wednesday at a Jenks Chamber of Commerce luncheon heavily stocked with educators who said they are frustrated with the state's consistently low ranking in education funding.
One of 11 state questions expected to appear on the general election ballot, SQ 744 would amend the Oklahoma Constitution to require funding of K-12 education at a per-student level equal to the average of adjoining states.
Proponents say the move is necessary if the Legislature is ever to live up to its professed commitment to education.
Opponents say doing so would lay waste to the rest of state government... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Thu, August 19, 2010
by Crystal Drwenski