October 26, 2010
Mark Schlachtenhaufen
The Edmond Sun
OKLA. CITY — OKLAHOMA CITY — State Question 744, the looming revenue shortfall and education reform were issues addressed Tuesday by the candidates for governor.
U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin and Lt. Gov. Jari Askins appeared together on the same stage one week before the Nov. 2 general election at a forum hosted by the State Chamber of Oklahoma at the Cox Convention Center.
The State Chamber represents more than 2,000 businesses, and it opposes State Question 744, which would require state common education appropriations to equal per pupil expenditures by surrounding states.
Reports of exactly how much abiding by the measure would cost vary from an Oklahoma Education Association estimate of a minimum $938 million to the Oklahoma Policy Institute’s projection of $1.7 billion.
Supporters of SQ 744, which include the Oklahoma Education Association, say the proposition guarantees Oklahoma children will be a budget priority, and that the state can afford the increase if it ends billions in special interest tax breaks. Other suggested actions include ending legislator perks and expensive trips... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Tue, October 26, 2010
by Crystal Drwenski