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Education |
The following is a list of the candidates and issues that I support.
State Questions State Question 744: Vote NO. Also called the Hope Amendment, is a proposed amendment that would require the state to increase spending on education to a level equal to the regional average. The regional average being that spent by our neighboring states, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas and Colorado. Passage of the amendment by voters would increase Oklahoma’s spending on education by about $900 million. It should not be a surprise that the Oklahoma Education Association (teacher’s union) has pushed very hard for this amendment and in fact lead the fight to get it on the ballot. The state education
budget is already 34% of the state’s total budget. How on earth
is Oklahoma going to come up with an additional $900 million dollars
should voter pass this amendment? Well, there are three ways, (1)
raise taxes, (2) cut spending in areas other than education and (3)
raise taxes and cut spending. When it is all said and done, would Oklahoma have more schools, better supplies and newer school buses? Of course we would, but would we have better educated children? History has shown the answer is no, not unless we address the need for better teachers and teaching methods, something this amendment does not address. Click my "Education" link to learn more about what should be done to improve public education. State Question 754: Vote YES. Co-authored by Todd Lamb (my choice for Lieutenant Governor) SQ 754 would attempt to negate SQ744 by prohibiting state spending based on criteria set by other governments, specific formulas, or how much other states spend on a function. In essence, it allows our state government the freedom to set budgets based on the needs of Oklahoma, not based on decisions and formulas that may become burdensome or obsolete in the future. I support SQ754. At the time this was written, there was some question as to if SQ745 would be in the July ballot or on November's. State Question 746: Vote YES. This would require government-issued photo identification to vote. Proponents say it is necessary to prevent voter fraud. Opponents say it may be unconstitutional; they also point out that Oklahoma has had no convictions or even credible allegations of voter fraud in decades. Every time I vote, I find it bewildering that I am not required to show proof of my identity. As you know, all you need to do is sign your name on the dotted line and you will be given a ballot. This is another state question that I support. State Question 747: Vote YES. This question would limit lieutenant governors, attorneys general, state auditors, labor commissioners, insurance commissioners and superintendents of public instruction to two four-year terms. Corporation commissioners, who serve six-year terms, would also be limited to two terms. My support for passage of this question is passionate. For more on term limits, click the “Term Limits” link. State Question 748: Vote YES. This measure will increase the number and makeup of members on the Apportionment Commission. Apportionment or redistricting is the process to redraw the legislative and congressional districts which is done every ten years after the federal census is complete. If the State Legislature fails to act and complete redistricting, then the commission is activated. Changing the makeup of the commission from partisan to bipartisan will help prevent gerrymandering of the districts. State Question 750: Vote YES. The legislature put this measure on the ballot in 2009. Although SQ 750 would not directly alter the petition requirements for new parties or for independent presidential candidates, if it passes, it will help to improve the ballot access laws for minor parties and independent candidates. If SQ 750 passes, it will signal that the Oklahoma voters want more choices on their ballot. State Question 751: Vote YES. This establishes English as the official language for official state actions. It DOES NOT mean that you will only be allowed to speak English in Oklahoma. Simply put, official state actions must be written in English. State Question 752: Vote YES. This would take influence away from the Bar Association in selecting judges and put more power in appointing judges in the hands of the governor. State Question 755: Vote YES. The courts over the years are starting to use international law to decide cases in the United States. This is a danger to the sovereignty of our country and our state and should not be allowed. State Question 756: Vote YES. This measure would prohibit the government from making a citizen or business participate in "Obamacare". Yes vote is to "opt-out” of Obamacare which will protect the Oklahoma citizens from the punitive fines by the federal government. State
Question 757: Vote NO. This
measure would increase Oklahoma's Rainy Day Fund from the current 10% to
15%. If you believe that the government should be holding your
money then vote yes, if you believe that the government should let YOU
hold YOUR money then vote no with me.
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Governor:
Mary Fallin
Lieutenant Governor: Todd Lamb
Fifth
Congressional District: James Lankford
State
Treasure: Ken Miller
Insurance
Commissioner: Kim Holland
State
Schools Superintendent: Janet Barresi