unfunded mandate
What's Wrong with Oklahoma State Question 744? Part I
In the past, I've written a brief summary of the issues that Oklahomans will face if SQ744 passes the ballot in November. I wrote a letter to the editor which was published back in March. Now, I think I should go into more detail about what is wrong with SQ744.
First, let's start with the Ballot Title. A Ballot Title is the text that is presented on the ballot in an attempt to let voters know what they are voting on. Ideally, it would be unbiased and state all of the facts, but that is rarely the case.
...But It's For The Children!
Have you checked out the latest unfunded mandate that will appear on the Oklahoma ballot in November? It is State Question 744.
According to Hope4OurKids.org, Oklahoma's per-pupil spending on education is the lowest in the region. Is that a problem? Yes, considering all the wasteful spending that goes on in the education system. SQ744 would require Oklahoma to raise per-pupil spending by $1627 to get on par with the regional average, but it doesn't specify a source of funding. This is where we run into problems.
According to the FAQ on their website:
