SQ 744 FACT OF THE WEEK

SIGN THE PETITION!
Go to stop744.com and sign the petition to help fight this
devastating state question that is on the November ballot!
You can receive push cards, bumper stickers, and information
to spread the word about this potential catastrophe.

SQ 744 FACT OF THE WEEK

The Numbers Game

The OEA website for SQ744 has changed the numbers utilized for their "per pupil
spending". Their original figures showed a difference in Oklahoma spending on
common education students and the regional average at $1,463 per student....which
meant common education would receive $850 million more per year in funding.
Now...........their website says the difference spent is $1,627 per student, which means
they would get an increase of $1.032 billion per year.
An increase of over one billion a year................coming from higher taxes --OR-- that
much cut from every other agency in the state................WOW!

SQ 744 FACT OF THE WEEK

No Guarantee that even $1 more gets to the classroom

The way State Question 744 is written there is absolutely no accountability for
the huge infusion of dollars that would be allocated. Even though the State
Question is being pushed on the idea of getting more dollars to the classroom,
there are no criteria for spending the money. That means it could all go
to administration, travel, salaries, buildings, programs...............and not one
dollar to the kids.

SQ 744 Fact of the Week

I love it!

When asked at a forum this week if they were in favor of SQ744's passage,
even the two Democratic candidates for Governor said NO! Jari Askins and
Drew Edmondson both stated that they oppose the measure because of the
havoc it would create with the state budget. Amen!

SQ 744 FACT OF THE WEEK

Do you want a tax increase?

Our state is dealing with massive cuts to state agencies right now, due to the
economy, before we even consider what SQ 744 would add to the problem.
Unless we want to cut every agency at least another 20% the only option is
tax increases. To fund the question it would take one of two options:
1. Individual Income Tax increase of 32%
or
2. State Sales Tax increase of 37%
I can't imagine asking the public to go for that.........................can you?

SQ 744 FACT OF THE WEEK

According to Commissioner Terry White of the Dept. of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services
if SQ 744 is passed it will mean a $40 million reduction to her department. There are currently
600-900 people on waiting lists for residential substance abuse help.......the wait and the number of people waiting would increase dramatically. Thousands of Oklahoman's would lose their community support services, become more acutely ill, lose their jobs, drop out of school, and no longer lead productive lives because of this potential cut.

SQ 744 FACT OF THE WEEK

The Hypocrisy!
Did you know that the way the teachers labor union worded this state question.........
if our 6 surrounding states average per student expenditures go up, our spending
is mandated to go up..........if their averages go down, ours don't, they have to stay the same!