NewsOK
Published: July 11, 2010
THOSE opposing State Question 744 already have a tough job in convincing voters that approving the school funding measure would be a colossal mistake. But another question on the November ballot apparently makes the vote totals an important matter, too.
SQ 744 would require Oklahoma's education spending to be tied to a regional per-pupil spending average. The measure does not declare a funding source. And once increased — as much as a $1 billion annually after the law is fully implemented — spending could not be decreased.
On its surface, a massive infusion of cash for education might seem like a good idea. The challenge for opponents is to explain to enough Oklahoma voters that approval likely would require major spending cuts in other state services, tax increases or both. SQ 744 doesn't require any reform, leaving too many unanswered questions about whether the money will simply support the status quo. Nor does it allow spending to be decreased, even if that's the case in other states.
Then there's also the matter of letting other states dictate Oklahoma's spending. That's a bad idea and the impetus for SQ 754, which is also on the November ballot. SQ 754 would amend the state Constitution to forbid legislative appropriations based on spending on other states... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Sun, July 11, 2010
by Crystal Drwenski