Bond Jeopardizes Schools
Class sizes are growing, fuel costs are increasing and resources are scarce. At what point do the record 641,000 school children, up 3,000 from last year, in Oklahoma Public Schools become a legislative priority?
Today, the legislature approved a $475 million bond package. It will cut future common education funding from two dedicated revenue sources.
“This is a poor way to fund our state. Passing bonds to make-up for cutting taxes is irresponsible government. Some of the things funded in the bond are pressing needs for Oklahoma, but at what cost to our schools? If the children are our future, why not protect that investment,” said Roy Bishop, Oklahoma Education Association President.
The bond included $300 million for roads and bridges, $100 million for higher education, $25 million for a Tulsa river project, $25 million for dams and $25 million for a Native American cultural center.
More than $30 million annually is expected to come from the general revenue fund to pay back the bond debt, devastating already cash-strapped state agencies.
Schools stand to lose even more funding. Money from Motor Vehicle Fees and Taxes will also be used to increase funding at the expense of schools. In addition, the proposal removes a trigger which required state revenue growth before additional funds were earmarked for roads. This proposal guarantees that schools will have less money available for appropriations in the future.
According to state statute Title 47, the intent of the legislature is that motor vehicle fees and taxes be used for general government functions of the state, counties, municipalities and schools. Now schools will be put on the back burner so mandated road programs can be funded.
“Chambers, realtors and businesses always make the point that a good education system is what will attract people to our state. Funding education will grow our economy,” said Mark Bledsoe, United Suburban Schools Association Executive Director.
With early predictions estimating a multi-million dollar budget shortfall for next year, education leaders said their fiscal situation is grim.
“Our school districts are already downsizing. In addition to rising fuel costs straining our budget, we are not hiring first-year teachers back, our class sizes are getting bigger and we have to cut essential electives,” said Randall Raburn, executive director of Cooperative Council of School Administration.
Showing posts with label Bonds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bonds. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Friday, May 09, 2008
Bond Issue and SB 2100
$500 Million Bond Jeopardizes Education
Common Education leaders are concerned the bond proposal being discussed will create debt for Oklahoma and jeopardize already cash-strapped state agencies. Tax cuts have already eroded our infrastructure. If the bond is passed, it would:
*Require the bond debt to be paid out of the state general revenue fund starting next year.
*Result in less money and further cuts for education and other state agencies that vitally depend on funds from the state general revenue.
Voice your opposition against the bond.
SB 2100 Still Looms
School Districts already have the right to deregulate. This law is not needed. Teacher working conditions are student learning conditions.
SB 2100 was passed by the house and the senate. Our best chance to preserve teachers' rights and working conditions is to send the bill to conference. This legislation session is scheduled to end May 23rd. We have two more weeks to keep a watchful eye on this dangerous bill. If the bill is sent to conference, our lobbyists can discuss important changes to protect your rights.
TELL YOUR LOCAL SENATOR TO VOTE AGAINST THE HOUSE AMENDMENTS AND SEND THE BILL TO CONFERENCE!
SB 2100 would allow school districts to:
Not follow all state regulations, only a select few.
Eliminate contract negotiations.
Reduce standards for teacher certification.
Eliminate due process.
Contatct your legislators at http://capwiz.com/nea/ok/state/main/?state=OK.
Common Education leaders are concerned the bond proposal being discussed will create debt for Oklahoma and jeopardize already cash-strapped state agencies. Tax cuts have already eroded our infrastructure. If the bond is passed, it would:
*Require the bond debt to be paid out of the state general revenue fund starting next year.
*Result in less money and further cuts for education and other state agencies that vitally depend on funds from the state general revenue.
Voice your opposition against the bond.
SB 2100 Still Looms
School Districts already have the right to deregulate. This law is not needed. Teacher working conditions are student learning conditions.
SB 2100 was passed by the house and the senate. Our best chance to preserve teachers' rights and working conditions is to send the bill to conference. This legislation session is scheduled to end May 23rd. We have two more weeks to keep a watchful eye on this dangerous bill. If the bill is sent to conference, our lobbyists can discuss important changes to protect your rights.
TELL YOUR LOCAL SENATOR TO VOTE AGAINST THE HOUSE AMENDMENTS AND SEND THE BILL TO CONFERENCE!
SB 2100 would allow school districts to:
Not follow all state regulations, only a select few.
Eliminate contract negotiations.
Reduce standards for teacher certification.
Eliminate due process.
Contatct your legislators at http://capwiz.com/nea/ok/state/main/?state=OK.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Standstill Budget & Bonds
Representatives of CCOSA, USSBA, USSA, OROS and the OEA held a press conference (1) to state our opposition to bond proposals and the impact they would have on the state's general revenue fund.
The state’s $7.1 billion budget for fiscal year 2009 is a standstill budget and has virtually no increased funding for schools or other state agencies. The state arrived at the standstill budget because of $560 million in tax cuts over the past couple of years.
Legislators are contemplating the use of a bond issue that will allow the state to sell bonds for specific projects, and pay off the bonds with state general revenue beginning next year.
The proposed bond issue is thought to have highway money, Higher Education Endowed chairs, Native American Culture Center, and a laundry list of legislator requests.
The contemplated projects are all worthy projects which deserve funding from the general appropriations process but this is bad economic policy. The state of Oklahoma will be buying on credit and the Governor and legislative leaders have already told us next year could be worse than this year.
We are in this mess because of tax cuts ($560M with potential to reach $800m-$1B) that could have funded our vital state services and education's needs including money for operations and getting teachers to the regional average in salary.
It's time for responsible members of the Oklahoma House and Senate to step up to the plate and put an end to this issue.
The following is the press release:
Education advocates said the FY 2009 $7 billion balanced budget may not be balanced at all. Despite the Oklahoma law requiring a balanced budget, lawmakers are deciding to borrow money in the form of bonds.
“We are simply buying on credit and leaving Oklahoma’s children to foot the bill,” said Dr. Randal Raburn, Executive Director of the Cooperative Council of School Administrators.
If the proposal is passed, a bond package of at least $500 million dollars would be borrowed with the promise of paying back the money from future state general revenue funds.
“We are not opposed to all bonds,” said Perry Willis, Executive Director of the Organization of Rural Oklahoma Schools. “It is one thing to pay them off with already designated money and quite another if they intend to use future general fund revenues that could be going to education.”
Oklahoma already ranks 48th in per pupil expenditures. With increases in fuel and other operations costs and no new money coming to schools, school districts are feeling the pinch. Over the last three years, schools operations funding have been short an average of $29 million, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
“We are mortgaging our future with this type of deficit spending. This is clearly the negative impact of the $560 million dollar tax cuts,” said Roy Bishop, Oklahoma Education Association President.
A record student enrollment of 641,000 this year, nearly a 3,000 increase, and a fast-changing population challenged by poverty and language barriers require a commitment from our legislators to fully-fund education and protect its revenue sources.
The state’s $7.1 billion budget for fiscal year 2009 is a standstill budget and has virtually no increased funding for schools or other state agencies. The state arrived at the standstill budget because of $560 million in tax cuts over the past couple of years.
Legislators are contemplating the use of a bond issue that will allow the state to sell bonds for specific projects, and pay off the bonds with state general revenue beginning next year.
The proposed bond issue is thought to have highway money, Higher Education Endowed chairs, Native American Culture Center, and a laundry list of legislator requests.
The contemplated projects are all worthy projects which deserve funding from the general appropriations process but this is bad economic policy. The state of Oklahoma will be buying on credit and the Governor and legislative leaders have already told us next year could be worse than this year.
We are in this mess because of tax cuts ($560M with potential to reach $800m-$1B) that could have funded our vital state services and education's needs including money for operations and getting teachers to the regional average in salary.
It's time for responsible members of the Oklahoma House and Senate to step up to the plate and put an end to this issue.
The following is the press release:
Education advocates said the FY 2009 $7 billion balanced budget may not be balanced at all. Despite the Oklahoma law requiring a balanced budget, lawmakers are deciding to borrow money in the form of bonds.
“We are simply buying on credit and leaving Oklahoma’s children to foot the bill,” said Dr. Randal Raburn, Executive Director of the Cooperative Council of School Administrators.
If the proposal is passed, a bond package of at least $500 million dollars would be borrowed with the promise of paying back the money from future state general revenue funds.
“We are not opposed to all bonds,” said Perry Willis, Executive Director of the Organization of Rural Oklahoma Schools. “It is one thing to pay them off with already designated money and quite another if they intend to use future general fund revenues that could be going to education.”
Oklahoma already ranks 48th in per pupil expenditures. With increases in fuel and other operations costs and no new money coming to schools, school districts are feeling the pinch. Over the last three years, schools operations funding have been short an average of $29 million, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
“We are mortgaging our future with this type of deficit spending. This is clearly the negative impact of the $560 million dollar tax cuts,” said Roy Bishop, Oklahoma Education Association President.
A record student enrollment of 641,000 this year, nearly a 3,000 increase, and a fast-changing population challenged by poverty and language barriers require a commitment from our legislators to fully-fund education and protect its revenue sources.
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