September 25, 2010
By Murray Evans
The Associated Press
NORMAN — Gov. Brad Henry said a ballot question that could dramatically affect education funding in Oklahoma “may be the most important state question we’ve faced in at least 20 years.” Two candidates for state superintendent have taken public stands — but the third won’t say whether she supports or opposes it.
Instead, Democratic nominee Sen. Susan Paddack of Ada said she’ll support what voters decide on State Question 744, a proposal that has been praised by the state’s teachers union and some education officials but criticized by the governor, college presidents and others who believe it could decimate funding for other state services.
The proposed constitutional amendment would require Oklahoma within three years to meet the regional average of per-student spending of its six surrounding states. Oklahoma ranked 49th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia in such expenditures in 2008, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Estimates on how much the proposal would cost the state over the next three years range from about $900 million to $1.7 billion.
Paddack, Republican nominee Janet Barresi and independent candidate Richard Cooper spoke with The Associated Press on Thursday and Friday. The proposal is among 11 state questions on the November ballot... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Sat, September 25, 2010
by Crystal Drwenski