Tulsa Public Schools Spending

[Red Arrow]

... for God's sake, don't even pretend reducing taxes has anything to do with the fact that we have reduced tax revenues.

Taxes rates have nothing to do with declining revenue.  It's all because the price of oil tanked.  Oklahoma is trying to imitate Venezuela.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Taxes rates have nothing to do with declining revenue.  It's all because the price of oil tanked.  Oklahoma is trying to imitate Venezuela.

I know you don't, but sadly, too many in this state believe that is true.

And they don't believe cutting the gross production tax from 7% to 2% makes a difference either...  How many are going to believe Dewby that wind power is the big problem?  Again, too many!

 

[swake]

I know you don't, but sadly, too many in this state believe that is true.

And they don't believe cutting the gross production tax from 7% to 2% makes a difference either...  How many are going to believe Dewby that wind power is the big problem?  Again, too many!

 

Wind power cost Oklahoma $60 million in revenue. Cuts to the gross production tax cost us one billion dollars in revenue. Now which is the big problem?

[Conan71]

Wind power cost Oklahoma $60 million in revenue. Cuts to the gross production tax cost us one billion dollars in revenue. Now which is the big problem?

I see a lot of my friends who work in the oil patch are the ones promoting this the most.

"Don't pay attention to the man behind the curtain!!!"

[heironymouspasparagus]

Wind power cost Oklahoma $60 million in revenue. Cuts to the gross production tax cost us one billion dollars in revenue. Now which is the big problem?

Exactly!!   Wind power subsidies are one of those little jewels that actually work the way they are supposed to.  Bringing development, new technology, more good paying jobs, and diversification of the economy!  A LOT more than $60 million worth...  

It really sucks for the RWRE Clown Show that it is working that way - like Conan says, it pulls the curtain aside just a little bit...

[Townsend]

Statewide Vote Sought on Production Tax Hike

http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/statewide-vote-sought-production-tax-hike

A group led by a longtime oil and gas industry leader is seeking a public vote in November on whether to impose an across-the-board 7 percent tax rate on oil and natural gas production in Oklahoma to help fund public education.

Mickey Thompson with Restore Oklahoma Now, Inc. filed paperwork on Wednesday with the secretary of state's office. About 90 percent of the revenue would be earmarked for a $4,000 teacher pay raise and to address the ongoing teacher shortage. The other 10 percent would fund early childhood education.

The former head of an oil and gas industry trade group, Thompson says early estimates show the tax hike would generate about $333 million in the upcoming fiscal year.

The group will have 90 days to get about 123,000 signatures.

[Conan71]

Statewide Vote Sought on Production Tax Hike

http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/statewide-vote-sought-production-tax-hike

I'm not sure which is worse, letting the legislature decide or the unwashed masses in rural areas who will be pandered to not to starve the erl patch.

[patric]

How not to treat teachers:
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/01/10/577010534/outcry-after-louisiana-teacher-arrested-during-school-board-meeting

[heironymouspasparagus]

How not to treat teachers:
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/01/10/577010534/outcry-after-louisiana-teacher-arrested-during-school-board-meeting

It's only a matter of time...we are always looking for the next, lowest way to treat teachers and other public employees in this state.  I am sure Failin' and her minions will study this in detail and adopt as quickly as possible.

[Conan71]

I'm not sure which is worse, letting the legislature decide or the unwashed masses in rural areas who will be pandered to not to starve the erl patch.

And now it is reported that the oil industry is pushing back against the production tax being raised from 2% to 7% to support $4000 per year per teacher in pay raises.

I guess the oil industry figures a dumbed down population is better for cheap roughnecking.

[joiei]

I just don't understand.  Do these evangelical conservative republicans realize that the people they are cheating will be the ones who will be taking care of them at the old folks home?

[patric]

It's only a matter of time...we are always looking for the next, lowest way to treat teachers and other public employees in this state. 

Think what message that sends to kids about violence directed towards teachers.
Dont know if government-sanctioned violence against American institutions (teachers, nurses, press) is the new normal, given the cues from the White House.

Speaking of cues, The school board president's gavel tap was allegedly a pre-aranged signal
https://kadn.com/deyshia-hargrave-speaks-to-news15-board-member-calls-board-presidents-story-into-question/

for a school security guard (with a history of violence) to pounce.
http://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/crime_police/article_3ce3ba3e-f657-11e7-94cd-7746befdf4b8.html

[Townsend]

Why are West Virginia teachers on strike? Take a look at their salaries

https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/27/health/west-virginia-teachers-salaries-trnd/index.html

For now, only three other states rank lower than West Virginia for teacher salaries:
Oklahoma
Mississippi
South Dakota

[heironymouspasparagus]

Why are West Virginia teachers on strike? Take a look at their salaries

https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/27/health/west-virginia-teachers-salaries-trnd/index.html

Race to the bottom!!

[TeeDub]

I am torn.

Am I supposed to support the teacher walkout?   We voted on teacher pay not that long ago and the general public didn't support it then.   If any other public servant (they get paid with my tax dollars, so really that is what they are) decided to randomly not show up to work, I would be irate.