The Edmond Sun

Letters to the Editor

October 29, 2012

LETTER: More facts needed about SQ 766

EDMOND — To the Editor:

Oklahomans should demand the truth from the coalition supporting S.Q. 766.  Unfortunately, this coalition has decided to attack Oklahoma judges rather than address the devastating cuts S.Q. 766 imposes on public schools, career technology centers and county government.

Although each person is entitled to their own opinion, none of us is entitled to our own facts. The truth is that “activist judges” did not create a new tax. The Oklahoma Supreme Court enforced a provision of our state’s Constitution that was approved by voters more than 40 years ago.  

The Oklahoma Tax Commission estimates that passage of S.Q. 766 will result in an immediate loss of $50 million in tax revenue to schools, career technology centers and county government, if the revenue is not otherwise replaced by the state. S.Q. 766 does not stop a new tax on centrally assessed entities like AT&T; the truth is S.Q. 766 provides a tax break to corporations on the backs of students and county government.

What about the new taxes imposed on Oklahoma families as a result of the 2009 decision of the Oklahoma Supreme Court? The truth is that if S.Q. 766 fails, nothing will change in the State of Oklahoma! Senate Bill 1436, passed on the final day of session, preserves the current tax system in the event S.Q. 766 fails.

The truth is a “NO” vote on S.Q. 766 will result in a better solution for all Oklahomans!



Steven Crawford and Ryan Owens



STEVEN CRAWFORD is executive director of the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration and Ryan Owens is the executive director of the United Suburban Schools Association.

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Letters to the Editor
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    May 8, 2013

  • LETTER: Senators give criminals a pass

    To the Editor:
    Oklahoma’s U.S. Sens. Tom Coburn and Jim Inhofe were among 45 senators who recently helped block a sensible measure to reduce gun violence. Specifically, they voted down a measure to expand background checks for gun buyers — a step favored by 86 percent of Americans, according to recent polls. Our senators were not even asked to vote for tougher measures like bans on military-type assault weapons or high-capacity magazines, also favored by 56 percent of Americans, according to a Quinnipiac University poll.
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    To the Editor:
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    May 6, 2013

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    May 6, 2013

  • LETTER: Senate bills will help veterans living in centers

    To the Editor:
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    March 4, 2013

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