Inside: The Daily releases its voter’s guide to the 2010 Oklahoma elections held Nov. 2 The University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice since 1916
Monday, October 25, 2010
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Oklahoma to elect 1st female governor Whoever wins the 2010 gubernatorial race, Jari Askins or Mary Fallin, will receive the title of the first female governor of Oklahoma. However, she will do so in a tumultuous political climate with pending, torrential issues regarding Oklahoma’s lack of stimulus money, state questions involving common education budgets and the upcoming government health care reform. “The new governor is going to face a very daunting state budget,” said Cindy Rosenthal, OU Carl Albert Center director. While the historical implications of the election should be celebrated, Rosenthal also commented on the lack of female representation in the Oklahoma legislature compared to the rest of the U.S. This year’s election will not show a significant gain for women, Rosenthal said. “Oklahoma still has quite a ways to go in terms of women’s participation in state government,” Rosenthal said. “South Carolina is the only state that has fewer women as a percentage of the state legislature.” — Chase Cook/The Daily
Women’s center rallies vote for Oklahoma’s 1st female governor
HELEN GRANT/THE DAILY
Gubernatorial candidates Republican Mary Fallin and Democrat Jari Askins conduct interviews following their first debate Tuesday at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. Election Day is Nov. 2.
Mary Fallin —Republican
Jari Askins — Democrat
EDUCATION: » Does not support SQ 744. She said the best way to have money for education is to improve Oklahoma’s economy and business climate. Lowering administration costs will help put money back into the classroom. » Supports the pay-for-performance program that rewards teachers and schools for students’ academic performance. » If SQ 744 does pass, she said there are two ways to fund it: raise taxes or make massive cuts. “I am not going to raise taxes,” she said. However, the cuts on “essential” government programs could be as high as 30 to 35 percent.
EDUCATION: » Wants to put more money in the state’s school system, but does not support SQ 744 because it lacks funding. Her plan to put money back into classrooms is to make state departments more efficient and possibly “trim from the top.” She said she thinks Oklahoma may benefit from following Colorado’s model. Its board of cooperative education services lets school districts use “economies of scale and purchasing power” to pool their resources and acquire the goods they need. » If SQ 744 does pass, Askins said the next governor will need to work closely and quickly with the Oklahoma Legislature.
HEALTH CARE: » Opposes “Obamacare” and will vote to opt out of the national health care bill. If Oklahoma does opt out of the bill, she will stand by Insure Oklahoma, a program that helps low- and moderate-income families and businesses obtain and provide health insurance.
HEALTH CARE: » Feels that some portions of the national health care bill “look kind of good for insurance reform,” but states that sections like reporting any bill more than $600 will be bad for small businesses. She said she will vote to opt out of government health care.
TAXES: » Plans to examine the state’s tax structure as a whole to determine which tax plans work and which don’t to “make Oklahoma more competitive.”
TAXES: » Supports tax credits for businesses, but will work with the legislatures and her budget director to determine the validity and effectiveness of the tax credits.
BUSINESS AND JOB GROWTH: » Wants to create a one-stop shop — hopefully online — where businesses can get licenses and permits. » Believes private-sector growth is more important than public-sector growth.
BUSINESS AND JOB GROWTH: » Supports lowering income taxes while Oklahoma is growing. She questions whether that reduction should be two or three years instead of one thanks to the fluctuating economy.
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND POLICIES: » Believes government needs to be “smaller, smarter and more cost-efficient.” She said there are more than 500 agencies and commissions in Oklahoma, when other states like Kansas and Arkansas operate with about 130 and 190 agencies respectively. Every agency must “justify every dollar spent.” May bring in individuals from the private sector to help make government more efficient.
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND POLICIES: » Plans to implement a two-year budget cycle so legislatures will have more time to work on the state budget instead of putting it together two weeks before session is finished. » Advocates for the creation of The Children’s Cabinet. These officials would work together to tackle issues regarding the children of Oklahoma.
*Sources: maryfallin.org and a post-debate interview Tuesday.
*Sources: jariaskins.com and a post-debate interview Tuesday.
Oklahomans will vote for their first female governor Nov. 2, with two women on the ballot for the first time. In an effort to get students involved, the Women’s Outreach Center will host a table with election information 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday in the Oklahoma Memorial Union. “The tabling is an effort to raise awareness and to encourage students to vote this election,” said Kathy Moxley, Women’s Outreach Center coordinator. The group will provide information about voting locations and nonpartisan information on candidates and state questions, according to the center’s website. “Students will be present at the table to help with any questions,” Moxley said. Sooner Women Vote will also give out information at the tabling. “It is important to get the women who don’t vote out to polling places,” Moxley said. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more women than men voted in the November 2008 general election in Oklahoma. For more information, visit studentlife.ou.edu. — Sabrina Prosser/The Daily
8 days until the elections
STATE ELECTIONS
SQ 744 proposes increases in education spending Debates over where money for funding will come from, whether taxes will be raised DUSTY SOMERS The Oklahoma Daily
Oklahoma State Question 744 is a proposed constitutional amendment that, if passed, will require the Oklahoma State legislature to increase funding for public education. If the measure passes, it will require the Oklahoma state budget to fund public education to, at minimum, the per-student average of six neighboring states — Missouri, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Colorado and New Mexico. Proponents of the measure say it
will help correct the lack of funding for education and Oklahoma’s position at 49th in the nation and last in the region in education spending. Opponents claim there is simply not enough money in the state budget or accountability built into the measure to ensure the money is used properly. “At the levels we’re at right now, it’s clear that we’re sending our kids into the workforce with one arm tied behind their backs,” said Walton Robinson, communications director for Yes on 744. The measure doesn’t do anything to guarantee this will change, said Jeff Wilson, campaign manager for One Oklahoma Coalition, a group comprised of organizations created to oppose SQ 744.
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“We’re not changing the nature of what we do for the better here,” Wilson said. “We’re simply cutting a blank check.” The measure mandates there must be an increase in education spending the first fiscal year after passage, and the surrounding state average must be met within three years. The increased spending would amount to approximately $51 million to $57 million the first year and between $850 million and $900 million after three years, Robinson said. Wilson estimates the cost will be at least $850 million and could surpass $1 billion, he said. “Oklahoma has to have a balanced budget every year,” Wilson said. “If you take roughly a billion
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dollars out of the state budget and shift it directly into the common education budget, we have to do things. We either have to cut state services or increase taxes.” Robinson dismisses the proposition of state services being cut as mere fear tactics. “There are adequate resources to pay for 744,” Robinson said. Robinson proposes putting an end to special interest tax credits and pork barrel projects to free up the money, citing transferable tax credits the legislature gave to three aerospace companies, that all went bankrupt, as examples of the way the legislature wastes money. Wilson said he has a problem with the accountability measures built into the proposition. The
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initiative includes a provision that the Education Oversight Board and the Office of Accountability will publish an annual report on education spending, but Wilson said he doesn’t consider this good enough. “Accountability occurs on the front [end],” he said. “Having a report that says, ‘Hey, we spent the money in the wrong place’ — that’s not accountability.” Common education is important to him too, but that doesn’t mean 744 is a good idea, Wilson said. “It’s not a question of whether or not common education is sufficiently funded; it’s a question of whether or not common education should get the money this way,” he said.
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