Wednesday, September 22nd 2010, 11:26 pm
By Kelly Ogle, NEWS 9
OKLAHOMA CITY -- With three kids in public schools, there's rarely an education issue I don't back, but I cannot support State Question 744.
Read more about State Question 744
The Oklahoma Education Association, the state teachers union, passed the petitions and got 744 on the November ballot, and a lot of outside money is coming in to support it.
If voters approve it, Oklahoma would have to increase funding for all students Pre-K through 12th grade to the regional average.
That doesn't sound like a bad idea, until you hear it would cost the state nearly $1 billion more per year. And that means steep tax increases for all of us or sweeping cuts across state government. That would include cuts to law enforcement, health services, fewer road repairs, cuts to colleges and universities, it goes on and on.
Just tonight OU President David Boren and OSU President Burns Hargis came out strongly against State Question 744, saying if passes it will dramatically increase the cost of going to college in Oklahoma.
It's irresponsible to demand $1 billion more for schools with no revenue source to pay for it.
That's why the Governor, the Democratic and Republican candidates for Governor, and scores of other leaders on both sides of the aisle are fighting this state question.
I know I'll hear from a lot of State Question 744 supporters, and I look forward to it, but if you want me to use your response, I insist you explain where you'll come up with the money to pay for this.
Leave Kelly Your 2 Cents, tell us where you're from, and he could read your comments on air.
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