OU Daily
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Dear Editor:
I would like to bring some more facts to everyone’s attention about State Question 744. Yes, it is true and disheartening that Oklahoma invests so little into our children’s education compared to those in our region. But SQ 744, although a great gesture, might not be the best solution.
State Question 744 has no revenue stream associated with it; that is, there is not a way to pay for the increase to educational funding. According to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the three-year cost of SQ 744 could approach $1.5 billion. Although this would be a huge boost to Oklahoma education, it would be at an extreme expense to the Oklahoma budget. Lawmakers will have to find cash in a budget that is already tight due to the current state of our economy. Cuts will have to be made to offset SQ 744. Higher education funding has already been in danger of receiving cuts in the recent past and will likely be an early target.
Although this might not translate to a direct tuition increase, the University of Oklahoma stands to lose up to $30 million in funding over the next three years alone. This will be a heavy burden on our school at a time when President Boren and the OU Board of Regents are doing everything in their power to balance our own budget and keep OU an affordable, top-notch institution.
I urge all voters to stay informed on 744.
— Steve Sichterman,
meteorology junior
Central Regional Director of the Oklahoma Student Government Association
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Wed, October 20, 2010
by Crystal Drwenski