My Letter to the Editor Regarding SQ744

Now that a week has gone by since my letter to the editor was published in the Clinton Daily News (March 6th Edition), I wanted to post it here for others to read that are outside of their distribution area.

Dear Editor,
        I am writing this letter to express my concerns over State Question 744 which will be featured
on the November ballot. This is a vote for a state constitutional amendment that dictates spending on
public education.
        While I believe that investing in education is a good idea itself, I do not believe that this
investment should come at the expense of important functions of government. I also do not believe that
other states should have a say in how Oklahoma spends its tax dollars.
        State Question 744 sets a minimum amount that the state must spend per pupil that is no less
than the average of surrounding states. When the regional average declines, Oklahoma cannot reduce
its educational spending. When tax revenues fall short of expectations (as they have in the last year),
Oklahoma cannot reduce its educational spending.
        Proponents of State Question 744 constantly point to the fact that there is no tax increase in the
proposed measure. But there is also no funding source designated. As I’m sure you know, Oklahoma
is a balanced-budget state, meaning that it cannot legally operate in the red. This is where we run into
problems with this measure.
        Currently, Oklahoma spends ~$8,006 per pupil. The regional average is $9,633, which is a
$1,627 difference. This will increase education spending by between $850 million and $1 billion.
According to House fiscal staff, this unfunded mandate will have to be paid through 20% cut across
the board to all agencies, 34% increase in state income taxes, or a 38% increase in state sales taxes.
        Oklahomans will be deciding in November who will determine how half of their tax dollars are
spent: their elected Representatives and Senators, or those from surrounding states. State Question 744
is bad for Oklahoma.
        Sincerely,
                Brian Altenhofel
                Washita County

This is the first letter to the editor that I have written, and I must say that I was quite surprised and appreciative that it was published, especially in its entirety.  (I totally expected it to be heavily edited down because it is quite long for a letter to the editor.)  I haven't seen any reaction in the form of another letter yet, but I have received a few in-person comments about it which I greatly appreciate.

Thank you to everyone who read this in the Clinton Daily News, and I especially thank those who gave me some feedback about it.  It feels good and lets me know that my efforts to inform are worthwhile.