HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 02_Approving State Question 744OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
CITY OF OWASSO, OKLAHOMA
RESOLUTION NUMBER 2010-02
A RESOLUTION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF OWASSO,
OKLAHOMA,
WHEREAS, State Question No. 744, if adopted, would amend the Oklahoma Constitution to require
that Oklahoma's annual state per pupil expenditure for grades K-12 be at least equal to the regional
average per pupil expenditure in six (6) surrounding states; and,
WHEREAS, the Owasso Economic Development Authority Trustees believe that a high quality
educational system is vital to the economic growth of Oklahoma; and,
WHEREAS, it is estimated that State Question No. 744 would require Oklahoma's expenditure for
common education to increase by $1.7 billion once the measure is fully implemented over a three-year
phase-in period; and,
WHEREAS, if the measure is adopted, funding the measure would require deep cuts in all areas of
state government, or substantial tax increases, or both; and,
WHEREAS, by mandating spending increases in education without providing for a source of
expansion of state revenue, the measure will severely damage all other areas of public investment,
including higher education, transportation, corrections, human services, healthcare, and public safety;
and,
WHEREAS, the resulting tax increase and/or reduction of governmental services will impair
economic growth in the state, degrade state infrastructure and put the public, including its most vulnerable
citizens, in danger; and,
WHEREAS, State Question No. 744 is poor public policy by placing the funding of education out of
the control of elected officials accountable to the voters; and,
WHEREAS, the Owasso Economic Development Authority Trustees believe that funding of
education should be improved, but the level of funding should be set by elected officials considering the
available revenue and existing demand for all government services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Owasso Economic Development Authority trustees
oppose the adoption of State Question No. 744.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Owasso Economic Development Authority Trustees encourage
the citizens of Owasso to vote "no" on State Question No. 744 on November 2, 2010.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this I4th day of October, 2010, by the Economic Development Authority
of the City of Owasso, Oklahoma.
OWASSO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
By:
Dirk Tho s, DDS, Chairman