Tulsa World
By DON WALKER
Published: 10/27/2010 2:20 AM
Last Modified: 10/27/2010 4:35 AM
Debate rages over Washington's economic policies and the state of our national economy. But on Tuesday, Oklahomans will vote on State Question 744, which may have a more devastating impact on our state's economy than anything Washington can cook up.
Put on the ballot through the initiative petition process by the Oklahoma Education Association and the National Education Association, SQ 744 would require the Oklahoma Legislature to fund common education minimally at the six-state regional average. The level of funding would be based on per-pupil expenditures.
By the OEA's own estimate, when fully implemented, SQ 744 will cost a minimum of $938 million dollars a year.
The Oklahoma Policy Institute, a widely respected, nonpartisan think tank, estimated the three-year phase-in cost at $1.7 billion.
Funding education at the regional average makes for a terrific political sound bite, but the devil is in the details.
SQ 744 does not have an identified funding mechanism to pay for the cost of the spending increase. Therefore, it stands to reason that lawmakers will have to do one of two things should it pass - cut expenditures in other state government services or raise taxes to satisfy the cost... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Wed, October 27, 2010
by Crystal Drwenski