The Woodward News

Opinion

August 22, 2010

An interesting question

Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — By Johnny McMahan

It’s becoming clear State Question 744, the one involving increasing per pupil education funding in Oklahoma to the regional average, is going to provide most of the debate in this election year.

In some circles, it may draw more interest than even the governor’s race.

Supporters say the measure is needed if Oklahoma is to become really serious about funding education properly. Those against the proposal say the state can’t afford the cost - $850 million to $1.7 billion depending on who is doing the talking.

Elected officials across party lines, including Gov. Brad Henry, are not supporting this state question. Neither are most government agencies - at any level. They believe it will devastate other agencies or cause a massive tax hike.

This is one of the few times I can remember powerful officials from both parties in agreement on much of anything. Now the question is, how much weight do all the officials actually have the regular folk in Oklahoma? Can they sway public opinion against SQ 744? We’ll find out in November.

Johnny McMahan is managing editor of the Woodward News

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