Lowered Expectations

[patric]

Senate Bill 1372 by Sen. Josh Brecheen, R-Coalgate, would reduce the age limit to become a state trooper to 21 years old.
The bill also would reduce the academic standards to require an associate's degree instead of a bachelor's degree.

"We understand that a four-year degree does not necessarily make an ideal trooper and we also understand that the life experiences and training received in the military do relate well to being a state trooper," said Maj. Rusty Rhoades, a spokesman for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Earlier this week, Fallin unveiled her proposed budget for the next fiscal year, which calls for a 4.5 percent funding increase to the Department of Public Safety for trooper pay.  The agency is seeking a 22.8 percent pay increase for all troopers, Rhoades said.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/government/senate-bill-aimed-to-beef-up-ohp-ranks-advances/article_772ce69f-9545-589c-9549-3c7d5c5b3d04.html

[Hoss]

Senate Bill 1372 by Sen. Josh Brecheen, R-Coalgate, would reduce the age limit to become a state trooper to 21 years old.
The bill also would reduce the academic standards to require an associate's degree instead of a bachelor's degree.

"We understand that a four-year degree does not necessarily make an ideal trooper and we also understand that the life experiences and training received in the military do relate well to being a state trooper," said Maj. Rusty Rhoades, a spokesman for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Earlier this week, Fallin unveiled her proposed budget for the next fiscal year, which calls for a 4.5 percent funding increase to the Department of Public Safety for trooper pay.  The agency is seeking a 22.8 percent pay increase for all troopers, Rhoades said.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/government/senate-bill-aimed-to-beef-up-ohp-ranks-advances/article_772ce69f-9545-589c-9549-3c7d5c5b3d04.html

Hmmm....wonder why Mary would advocate for a boost in OHP pay when few other agencies will...oh, wait...nevermind.

[Conan71]

Hmmm....wonder why Mary would advocate for a boost in OHP pay when few other agencies will...oh, wait...nevermind.

She could just pay under the table for the ones she really likes rather than sticking the taxpayers for her little badge fetish...

All kidding aside, a 4.5% increase would be somewhat realistic. 22.8% would be absurd with current economic realities, unless this is related to total trooper payroll budget of 22.8% which would indicate they want to hire more troopers. I don't have a problem with that.

[patric]

She could just pay under the table for the ones she really likes rather than sticking the taxpayers for her little badge fetish...

All kidding aside, a 4.5% increase would be somewhat realistic. 22.8% would be absurd with current economic realities, unless this is related to total trooper payroll budget of 22.8% which would indicate they want to hire more troopers. I don't have a problem with that.

She talks big about being a supporter of education, but her actions say otherwise.
Even former Gov. David Boren has been giving her the stinkeye for her cuts to his university.

Is it her strategy to deal with cuts to education by making education less relevant?

[DolfanBob]

OK now that's just funny.