OKLAHOMA CITY – While the vote may be not be until November, State Question 744, which will be facing Oklahoma voters on their ballots, is already being scrutinized by government watchdog organizations, like Oklahomans for Responsible Government, based  here in Oklahoma City.

Brian Downs, executive director of OFRG spoke to Oklahoma Watchdog recently about the impact SQ 744 would have if it is approved by voters.

“State Question 744 is about increasing the amount of money we spend per student in Oklahoma,” Downs said, adding that it would bring us to the regional average. Specifically, states bordering Oklahoma. “It would increase our spending up to that average.”

Downs said that the Oklahoma Education Association, the teacher’s union that is pushing for this initiative, says SQ 744 would cost “$850 million more in education spending.”

“They have no idea on how to fund it, no revenue stream and no idea on how to distribute it if it passes,” Downs said, noting that there are more than 530 school districts in the state.

Downs said that House Fiscal staff have studied the effects of SQ 744 and what it would mean for the state budget. He said they found that with it costing upwards of $850 million would mean a 20 percent across the board cut for each state agency. This, for instance, would mean everything from 8,400 criminals let loose from prisons to higher tuition for Higher Education to $395 million being cut from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

And that’s just scratching the surface, he said.

“Our concern is that the money will not go to the classroom,” Downs said.

Downs said that in 2004,  during the push for the Oklahoma lottery, that this would be “end all be all for education in Oklahoma,” paraphrasing what pro-lottery proponents like Gov. Henry said at the time.

Unimpressed with the money raised for education, Downs said the lottery has not been all that impressive in getting money for education.

“Four full years later the average is $50 per student,” he said. “That’s half the cost of one textbook.”

Comparing Kansas to Oklahoma, Downs pulls out some information compiled by the group Americans for Prosperity, and shows how spending on education in Kansas for the past decade has gone up 40 percent but reading and math scores have remained the same.

Pushing SQ 744 is the Oklahoma Education Association, Downs said.

Becky Felts, OEA’s president, explained to Oklahoma Watchdog that if passed, this constitutional amendment would require the legislature to “follow the will of the people.”

“If the people say that education is a priority, we are hoping it will lead to a call for raising the per-pupil expenditure, which is the lowest in the region, to the regional average,” Felts said, adding, “We are standing up for the needs of public schools.”

Asked about the cuts that would occur if SQ 744 became law, Felts replied, “The belief of the members of OEA is that if we make education a priority, we will improve the economy of Oklahoma. That will be a long term solution to all thee economic difficulties.”

Felts said there would be “transparency and accountability,” since the language in SQ 744 requires it.

“You will hear the people say education is a priority,” Felts said. “But when push comes to shove that’s not happening. People need to stand up and say, yes, education truly is a priority.”

Added Felts: “The boys and girls in Oklahoma deserve as much of an opportunity for a good education as kids in Arkansas and Texas and other states in our region.”

“It won’t be easy to defeat,” Downs said, adding, “It’s not about going against education, it’s about the process of getting money.”

And while the OEA is in support, everyone from Gov. Brad Henry to Attorney General Drew Edmondson – both education-supporting Democrats – are on the record not in favor of SQ 744.

In fact, when contacted, Sen. Andrew Rice (D-Oklahoma City), told Oklahoma Watchdog that he is coming out against SQ 744 because “it ties the hands of the legislature with a statistical mandate.”

And Rice isn’t alone in the legislature on this issue, Downs said, noting other strong, pro-education legislators who have expressed concern about SQ 744.

“When people learn that, their reaction is one of shock,” Downs said when people learn some heavy-hitters have real concerns about SQ 744.

“It’s because they know the effects of it,” added Downs. “And the legislators don’t like having the power taken from out of the hands of the legislature, which is what this would do.”

Downs and his team at OFRG will continue to spread the word before groups and via their website www.ofrg.org

“We think it’s important to get out and educate people out across Oklahoma,” Downs said. “We know this will be the most important vote they will cast in November.”

For more information go to www.stop744.com.

By Andrew W. Griffin

Oklahoma Watchdog, editor

Posted: March 3, 2010

andrew@oklahomawatchdog.org

Copyright 2010 Oklahoma Watchdog