Oklahoma Budget Crisis

Frederick · May 11, 2016

this budget crisis stuff is bad for Oklahoma. 1.3 Billion dollars behind and the legislature can't do jack squat to raise taxes because of a constitutional amendment that makes it so the legislature needs 3/4 support to pass a tax hike. I think we need to raise the taxes necessary to pay our teachers and take care of our State.

I thought i'd see what ya'lls thoughts on it were.

Okie4570 · May 11, 2016

Listen to a special committee meeting sometime on the ok gov website sometime, either live or an archive. 90% of them are like listening to a classroom full of 1st graders. They loose focus of the topic, go off on wild tangents about the most extreme reasons why they should or shouldn't proceed with a bill. I was part of attempting to make some wildlife reg changes last year and it was an extreme eye opener.

Did they honestly think the oil boom would go on forever? How/why would they appropriate money for things when they new that money wouldn't flow forever? They shouldn't be calling it a budget crises, they should be calling it what it is, the "It ain't flowing in no more" crisis.

They can tax all they want for teacher pay, etc and it won't do any good. It will be advertised as a teacher pay tax, but everything under the sun will also be attached to it, and teachers will get an extra $20 a month lol. Then they'll boast about how they raised teacher pay.

Hobbes · May 11, 2016

Here is what we know so far:

The legislature is considering a tax increase on cigarettes to fund an expansion of the Insure Oklahoma health program for poor Oklahomans.
They are also considering reducing the tax rebate for "at risk" oil wells that become uneconomical.

Now all we need is to come up with another Billion dollars of tax increases and/or spending cuts.

Up for discussion?
Sales tax on services
Increased alcohol tax
Secret stuff cause... it has to be kept secret until their getaway plans are finalized.

Jack T. · May 11, 2016

I think Education gets north of 50% of the State budget already. If the education department can't do a better job with HALF the damn budget, raising taxes isn't gonna help anything.

Education is not a funding problem.

Dale00 · May 11, 2016

Cutting expenses is the reasonable approach. Unfortunately reasonable is not something politicians do unless forced by a groundswell of public opinion. Because we the voters are not motivated to dig into the state budget to identify marginal programs, no reasonable cuts will be implemented.

Shadowrider · May 11, 2016

Lets fix the real problem, then we can see where we stand and then talk. As long as this is reality I'm not for adding one red cent to education's budget. Screw them.

“The terms of our employment agreement with Dr. Gist are as follows:

“The contract covers a three-year period, from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018;

“Dr. Gist will receive base pay of $235,000;

“In addition to the base salary, there is a retirement package, vacation and health benefits. Other expenses include car, call phone, insurance and other expenses;

“She will also be eligible for an annual performance incentive bonus of $25,000 per year; and

“A retention bonus payable after three years in the amount of $75,000.

“In closing, the TPS board feels strongly that this compensation package is competitive in the current market and is in line with Dr. Gist’s impressive skills and experience. As Board President, I am pleased with the work of the board, as this has been a thorough and exhaustive process. We also appreciate the work of Dr. Ballard and the TPS leadership team as we’ve navigated the complex waters of the search process.

“We are excited to have Dr. Deborah Gist as the next superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools, and look forward to the great things ahead for our students and staff. Thank you.”
Contract approved for Tulsa Public School Superintendent-elect...

tiasman · May 11, 2016

No new taxes.

Just like anyone else, if you get a pay cut, slash your expenses. Cut state govt in half.

Teachers are paid just fine, get another job if you don't like your 9 month job payscale.

Simple.

twoguns? · May 11, 2016

“In addition to the base salary, there is a retirement package, vacation and health benefits. Other expenses include car, call phone, insurance and other expenses;
This little add on right here is more than most people can negotiate.....we have to take it out of the base pay....its worth a lot
I wont bemoan Teachers anything, I rate them right up there with LEO and The Military.....that being said, they knew or should have known what they were getting into
Thank You All for Your Service....

Sanford · May 11, 2016

Jack T. said:
Education is not a funding problem.

This. We always hear about how low teacher salaries are. What we don't often hear about are the premium benefits and retirement packages, especially in the secondary education realm.

Dale00 said:
Cutting expenses is the reasonable approach.

And this. I have to live within my budget or else go without. The state needs to learn how to do the same.

Commander Keen · May 11, 2016

tiasman said:
No new taxes.

Just like anyone else, if you get a pay cut, slash your expenses. Cut state govt in half.

Teachers are paid just fine, get another job if you don't like your 9 month job payscale.

Simple.

You clearly know NOTHING about the work most teachers do.

Oklahoma Budget Crisis

Frederick

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Okie4570

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Hobbes

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Jack T.

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Dale00

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Shadowrider

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tiasman

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twoguns?

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Sanford

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Commander Keen

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