Groups oppose Oklahoma education spending initiative (SQ 744)

April 8, 2010 by Anonymous

By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Published: 4/8/2010 11:14 AM
Last Modified: 4/8/2010 1:57 PM

OKLAHOMA CITY - Organizations on Thursday announced the formation of a coalition to oppose a November ballot question that would require the state to bring per pupil spending to the regional average.

The One Oklahoma Coalition includes the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, the Oklahoma Public Employees Association, the TRUST Road and Bridge Coalition, the Tulsa Metro Chamber, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and the State Chamber of Oklahoma.

"Our coalition supports improving education, but not by pitting different needs of the state against one another," said Jeff Wilson, campaign manager for the One Oklahoma Coalition. "The simple fact is, if State Question 744 becomes the law of the land, Oklahoma's families, businesses, people and children will suffer."

Critics of State Question 744 say it will increase common education spending at the detriment of vital other services.

"The only two options are either to dramatically raise taxes or cut spending on other programs," Wilson said.

Wilson said the increase in spending is expected to cost between $850 million and $930 million in its first full year of implementation.

Walton Robinson, a spokesman for Yes on 744, said that figure is misleading, adding that the measure calls for a three-year phase in period.

"State Question 744 is supported by the nearly 250,000 Oklahomans who signed the petition to put investing in our children's future on the ballot," said Dr. Lisa Connery, a member of the advisory committee for Yes on 744. "If we expect
our students to excel and be competitive in the new economy, we need to provide them the educational foundation to do so."

Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=19&articleid=20100...