Rep. Paul Wesselhoft tells The McCarville Report that a tobacco tax, as proposed by Governor Fallin, will not pass and it is irresponsible to promises teachers a $3,000 pay raise.
Said Wesselhoft:
“Although I disagree in whole with Minority Leader Scott Inman’s insight on teacher’s pay and the economic downturn, I do agree with my friend on one essential point:
It is irresponsible of the Governor, or any legislator, to raise the hopes of teachers gaining a $3,000 pay raise in our current economic environment and billion-dollar budget hole.
It is irresponsible of the Governor, or any legislator, to raise the hopes of teachers gaining a $3,000 pay raise in our current economic environment and billion-dollar budget hole.
“The tax on tobacco of $1.50 per pack for teacher pay will not pass, nor will the Boren tax increase. Hard working conservative Oklahoma taxpayers will not support these tax increases.
“And we cannot reduce critical agencies, like the Department of Human Services and Mental Health Services in order to give such a raise. It is unfortunate that teachers are expecting such a $3,000 pay raise; their hopes will be dashed by the end of this very difficult session, so why raise such hopes in the first place?
“FYI: As important Common Education is to our state, I must remind our citizens that the number one priority for Oklahoma or any other state is, and will always be, Public Safety, not Common Education or any other important cause. Corrections (prisons) need more of our revenue now for the current budget and even more for the budget we will pass this session for the 2017 budget.
“The oil and gas industry will eventually recover alone with our state. We have been here before and recovered; and we shall do so again. Then, important agencies and causes will rebound as well. Unfortunately, now is the tough time to reduce, not expand government.
“In tough economic times, you and I reduce our family budget, why should government be different!”
Of course – we’ve seen this ruse before. “We can’t raise salaries now, because we can’t afford it. We couldn’t two years ago when times were good, because we had other priorities, such as prisons.” We see how well what went. Aren’t teachers hard working conservative Oklahoma taxpayers as well? Which adjective out of “hard working conservative Oklahoma taxpayers” does Wesselhoft think does not apply to teachers? How about we call them what they are: “underpaid hard working conservative Oklahoma taxpayers that should move to Texas if they want a decent wage.”
Wesselhoft’s goal isn’t to keep us fiscally responsible (the Oklahoma legislature hasn’t been responsible with anything in the last 6 years) his goal is to make sure there are no public teachers left in the state period. But really, do our kids need education anyway? Because an educated citizenry won’t vote for charlatans like Wesselhoft.
Wesselhoft wants to grow prisons instead of supporting education? Wow. The thing about Wesselhoft is the more he talks, the more foolish he seems. Remember this is the same guy that last year tried to peel away millions of dollars from education to fund the sinking indian cultural museum. He also tried to extend term limits to 16 years last year which went over like a lead balloon. This is his final term and then he is limited. Good riddance, Paul. You won’t be missed.