Restore T.R.U.S.T.

Tulsa World
By RANDY KREHBIEL & BARBARA HOBEROCK World Staff Writers
Published: 9/8/2010 2:19 AM
Last Modified: 9/8/2010 5:12 AM

Early childhood education was formally put into play Tuesday as opponents continued to press their case against State Question 744 in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

House Speaker-designate Kris Steele, R-Shawnee, told the Tulsa Metro Chamber that prekindergarten programs are likely to be eliminated by the Legislature if the controversial school-funding measure passes in November.

Noting that the measure requires Oklahoma to match regional per-pupil common education spending, Steele said: "One way the Legislature ... would be able to meet that goal is to reduce the number of students within our common education system. I'm afraid one of the first things that would go would be our early childhood initiatives."

But Yes on 744 spokesman Walton Robinson said the measure is intended to increase funding to early childhood education.

"I don't think the people of Oklahoma would stand for that," he said when told Steele said the programs might be eliminated... FULL ARTICLE