Schools & SQ744 Campaigning

News is coming out in this final week of the election that public school superintendents are illegally campaigning for State Question 744 on and with state property.

"It's for the children," we hear all the time and this time, school superintendents and officials plan to use our children as campaign volunteers for the infamous State Question 744.  Today, a Yukon resident filed a temporary injunction and restraining order against Sandy Garrett and Superintendent Bill Denton of Yukon.  The plan was to give out materials to children to take home the day before the vote on State Question 744.

Click here for the rest of Ron Black's post.

Patrick McGuigan reports:

Julia Seay, a Yukon resident, filed the restraining order and temporary injunction through her attorneys, Shawnnessy Black and Anthony Ferate.

The injunction states, in part: “Petitioner, Julia Seay, believes that the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the various proponents of State Question 744 have conspired to engage in electioneering and distribute flyers that are in clear support of Oklahoma State Question 744, such material is intended to be distributed to the parents of students attending Oklahoma Public Schools.”

The Seay injunction continues: “Petitioner, Julia Seay, has knowledge that the Superintendent of Public Instruction requested that flyers in support of Oklahoma State Question 744 be distributed on Monday, November 1st, 2010, to impressionable school age children.”

Shawnnessy Black, one of Seay’s attorneys, said in a statement sent to CapitolBeatok, “Distribution of political material through the classroom is a direct violation of state law and citizens and supporters of State Question 744 will stop at nothing to get what they want – and what they want is to use our children as campaign volunteers for their tax increases.”

Click here for the rest of the article on CapitolBeatOK.com.

I have copies of two emails sent out by Braggs Superintendent Lucky McCrary through his official school email account that campaigns for State Question 744 (including another document by Crescent Public Schools Superintendent Steve Shriever).

Additionally, I have received information from a Muskogee parent who, while attending a recent parent-teacher conference, was given information by a teacher who encouraged her to vote yes on SQ744. The teacher told the parent, "I know I'm not supposed to be doing this, but..." and continued on with her electioneering.

As I have said before, schools are meant for learning, not electioneering. This is shameful, and there should be swift penalties for electioneering with state resources and at schools. The Oklahoma taxpayer is not paying the salary of their local superintendent (or any other state employee) so that he or she can campaign on our dime or exploit our schoolchildren.

Regional Averages: Per-Pupil, Total State Budget

Proponents of State Question 744 like to talk about the "regional average" of education spending, and they use this map to further illustrate their point:

They talk extensively about how we need to be at the regional average. In fact, that is the crux, the essence of their entire campaign.

However, let me show you a "regional average" map that I put together this evening. This is a "regional average" of the state budgets:

As the map clearly shows, Oklahoma's budget is a whopping $19.1 billion off of the "regional average". Even without Texas' titanic budget in the mix, Oklahoma is still $7.56 billion lower - just 48.5% of the regional-minus- Texas average.

Now, I suppose I could be a few billion dollars off in my figures, but that still doesn't make that much of a difference; Oklahoma's budget is significantly smaller than almost every state around us.

What does this mean? Oklahoma simply does not have the revenue to sustain "regional average" without major revenue increases (i.e. substantial tax hikes), large cuts to every other state agency, or a combination of both.

In other words, we cannot afford for State Question 744 to pass. Vote NO on State Question 744!

Choices, Choices, Oh So Many Choices... My Take on the 2010 State Questions

Choices, choices... oh so many choices...

Yes, with just four days left, I am finally getting around to covering the eleven State Questions on the ballot. Mind you, this is a brief summary of my position on each. I intended to do this earlier, but the time simply evaded me. But, better late than never...

State Question 744 ("regional average" education funding mandate) -- NO

If there is only one state question that you vote on this year, make SQ744 the one -- and vote NO. 744 mandates that Oklahoma spend the "regional average" on education, essentially putting states like Texas and Colorado in charge of Oklahoma's budget. If the regional average goes down, Oklahoma's education spending cannot go down. There is no funding provided for the estimated annual $1B-$2B price-tag with SQ744 (on top of the current budget; education already gets well over 50% of the state budget, or over $3.5B), a price-tag that would have to be funded by a 30% tax increase, a 20% cut in every other state department, or a combination of the two. SQ744 is extremely dangerous, and you need to vote No.

State Question 746 (voter ID) -- YES

I am a huge fan of Voter ID, and therefore will be voting for SQ746. This will serve to combat voter fraud, and ensure that we have a fair and legitimate election process. Vote Yes.

State Question 747 (term limits) -- YES

Oklahoma currently has term limits for the state legislature and governor. SQ747 merely expands it to the other statewide offices (like Lieutenant Governor, Auditor, State Superintendent, etc). Again, I'm a huge fan of term limits. Vote Yes.

State Question 748 (backup redistricting committee) -- YES

This question amends how the backup redistricting committee is chosen (and makes it bipartisan), if the legislature somehow fails to redistrict (which has never happened in state history). Vote Yes.

State Question 750 (petition signatures) -- YES

This measure standardizes how many signatures are needed to place a State Question on the ballot. Rather than using a set percentage based on the last general election (presidential or gubernatorial), this makes it the same percentage - but of the last gubernatorial election (less votes in that cycle, so less signatures needed). Vote Yes.

State Question 751 (English official language) -- YES

SQ751 makes English the official language of state government. Official documents will be printed in English (as opposed to, say, California, where ballots are printed in seven different languages). It does nothing to affect personal speech, and has exceptions for Native American languages and Federal law. Local State Representative George Faught (R-Muskogee) has worked for four years for passage of this legislation. Vote Yes.

State Question 752 (judicial nominating committee) -- YES

This measure expands the Judicial Nomination Committee from 13 to 15 members, and reduces the power of the Oklahoma Bar Association when it comes to selecting new judges and justices. Vote Yes.

State Question 754 (state budget decision making) --YES

SQ754 was intended mainly to combat SQ744, and similar future measures that tie Oklahoma's budget to that of other states. There has been some question as to the unintended consequences of this State Question, but I believe them to not be the case. Attorney General Drew Edmondson did a bit of editorializing in the ballot language of this particular measure, so the language about inability to repeal, et cetera, is incorrect. (trivia: the Attorney General is the person who writes the final language for ballot measures, not the legislature) Vote Yes.

State Question 755 (banning use of international and Sharia law) -- YES

SQ755 is a very important "Yes" vote. Believe it or not, but Islamic Sharia law has been used in some British and American courts! Additionally, we must ensure that so-called International Law is never given precedence over state and federal law, or our Constitution. (brief plug: for a dangerous example of international law, see ParentalRights.org) Vote Yes.

State Question 756 (anti-ObamaCare) -- YES

Part of the nationwide fight against ObamaCare, it is very important that SQ756 be passed. Vote Yes.

State Question 757 (Rainy Day Fund expansion) -- NO

This expands the size of the state's Constitutional Reserve Fund ("Rainy Day Fund"). I'm not going to be terribly upset if this passes, but I will be voting against SQ757. I see no reason to give the legislature more money - and more excuses to not make needed cuts to government. Vote No.


This is merely my take on the State Questions. OKProsperity.com has a good section on the State Questions, complete with Pro & Con takes, and the actual ballot language. Do your research, and VOTE on these State Questions!

Rep. Faught Hosts Final State Question Forum

Rep. Faught Hosts Final State Question Forum

Area residents will have one final opportunity to attend a public meeting to discuss the eleven State Questions on the upcoming ballot.  The Thursday evening gathering will be the last in a series of forums hosted by Rep. George Faught (R-Muskogee).  Faught has met with church and civic groups, as well as held open meetings in area communities including Muskogee, Fort Gibson, Braggs, Tahlequah and Eufaula.

“I am encouraged and pleased that well over 300 citizens have taken advantage of these informal discussions.  They are making sure they are informed before voting on these important issues”, said Faught.

The final State Question Forum will be held this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau office (24 E. Shawnee – east of K Mart).  There will be no charge to attend and everyone is invited.  Informational packets will be available.

For more information, contact Rep. George Faught at (918) 682-8383 or email george.faught@okhouse.gov.

Muskogee Tea Party PAC Announces 2010 Endorsements

Muskogee Tea Party PAC Announces 2010 Endorsements

MUSKOGEE --  With 18 days left until voters go to the polls, this week the Muskogee Tea Party PAC announced their endorsements for the 2010 general election. 

For candidates outside of Oklahoma, the Muskogee Tea Party PAC endorsed U.S. Senate hopefuls, Joe Miller of Alaska, Dr. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Sharron Angle of Nevada, and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin. Within the state of Oklahoma, the Muskogee Tea Party PAC endorsed Dr. Tom Coburn for U.S. Senate, Charles Thompson for U.S. House (District 2), Mary Fallin for Governor, and a vote AGAINST State Question 744.

Regarding Coburn, Muskogee Tea Party PAC Chairman Jamison Faught said, “Dr. Tom Coburn has been perhaps the strongest and most effective advocate for stopping runaway government spending.  Dr. Coburn stood up against his own party when they were spending billions of dollars we didn’t have, and he continues to stand up today to fight for fiscal sanity as massive budget deficits eclipse records. Tom Coburn will continue to be a stalwart defender and advocate for Constitutionally limited - and fiscally responsible - government.”

About Thompson, Faught said, “The Muskogee Tea Party chose to endorse Charles Thompson because he will provide the 2nd District with a Congressman who will be responsive to the people, follow the Constitution, and because he has a track record of serving our nation. A a 20 year Army veteran, who retired as a Major, Charles Thompson will truly fight for free market principles, lower taxation, traditional values, and adherence to the Constitution.”

“In the Governor’s race, Mary Fallin was the clear choice for our group,” Faught said. “She has a proven track record of conservatism, both on the state and federal levels. Mary can be trusted to bring much-needed improvements to Oklahoma government, such as lawsuit and workers’ compensation reform. She will be a strong leader in creating a pro-business environment to grow Oklahoma’s economy, and she will stand up when Washington oversteps its bounds. In turbulent times like these, Oklahoma needs a true conservative at the helm - and Mary Fallin will be such a leader.”

“Our group is very concerned about State Question 744, and the extremely negative impact that it would have on our state,” Faught said. “There is a reason why nearly every Republican and Democrat public official is opposed to SQ744 - because SQ744 will turn Oklahoma’s budget and economy into a wreck that makes California’s budget crisis look like a rose. The Muskogee Tea Party and other opponents of SQ744 are not against education by any stretch of the imagination - but SQ744 is the wrong way to go about reforming Oklahoma education.  It is vital that State Question 744 be defeated this election, and that’s why the Muskogee Tea Party is opposed to this measure.”

The Muskogee Tea Party is a non-partisan grassroots group of everyday Oklahomans who are concerned about the direction the country is moving in, and who disapprove of out-of-control government spending, excessive taxation, and lack of adherence to the Constitution.  To learn more about the Muskogee Tea Party, visit www.MuskogeeTeaParty.com, or call (918) 869-6000.

SoonerPoll Numbers on State Questions

SoonerPoll conducted a survey on the November election, and there were some surprising figures. Below are the numbers for the State Questions.

State Question 744 had been leading in the polls with flying colors, but it appears that the 'Yes' support has taken begun to wither dramatically.

They also polled state-wide candidates - you can view the numbers here. Every Republican candidate was found to be leading in their respective races.

Even Gov. Brad Henry Opposes SQ744

Democrat Governor Brad Henry announced today that he will be chairing the opposition to State Question 744 - the ballot questions that seeks to mandate Oklahoma spend the "regional average" for education.

Henry said it was a "painful" decision, but that SQ744 would cause major problems to Oklahoma's state budget. Henry joins a long line of prominent Democrats who oppose SQ744 (including the Democrats gubernatorial nominee, Jari Askins), in addition to Republican officials and major newspapers.

For more information on SQ744, visit the website of One Oklahoma Coalition, and OFRG's site on SQ744.

The Conservative View: Optimist or Pessimist

This week's Conservative View, from Adair County Commissioner Russell Turner.

The Conservative View
by Russell Turner

Optimist or Pessimist

We all like to have better things such as a new house or a better auto, but all of these things require more money. Over the past year we have seen the fallout of stretching our finances to the breaking point. People that have lost their jobs are on the verge of losing everything because they cannot pay their bills. Often these people have to take a job that does not pay what they are accustomed too. In the good times we have a habit of assuming that the good times will always be here and we don’t have to worry about our finances. Personally I prefer to have a small nest egg and plan for the worst and hope for the best. One of the biggest flaws that many people have is the inability to budget their money and prepare for the worst. If we can avoid locking ourselves into too many financial obligations, we can have the flexibility to get through the bad times. Next year we Oklahomans will have the ability to vote on a State Question that could remove any financial flexibility that state budget makers now have.

State Question 744 would require Oklahoma to increase it’s per pupil spending to the regional average. While we all want to have quality education for our children, we need to remember that other agencies in the government also have to be funded. Granted, Oklahoma education spending ranks low in the country, but so do other agencies in state government. For example, corrections, transportation and a host of other agencies are also short of money. Tax revenues are like a bucket of water, there are only a certain amount of drops in that bucket. The only way to increase the amount for education is to pass more taxes, consolidate smaller schools, reduce or eliminate certain classes or courses, or plan for extra tax revenue because of future growth or the most likely - simple cutting the budget of other agencies.

We had better weigh the costs very carefully when we go to the polls to vote on State Question 744. The money necessary will have to come from somewhere and the other state services may have to take a hit in order to satisfy the funding requirements for SQ 744. I try to not be a pessimist,but I have found that the difference between an optimist and a pessimist is the pessimist has more and better information.

If you wish to contact Russell Turner, or want to subscribe to his email loop, click here.