Battle Over Penny Tax for Education Heats Up

By Jason Doyle Oden

A flurry of court filings this week over the quest to ask voters to decide the fate of a one cent sales tax for education. The proponents of the measure filed a response to an advocacy group’s lawsuit trying to stop the measure from reaching the ballot.

It was earlier this year when the Yes for 770 campaign launched in hopes of asking voters to approve a one cent tax to help fund teacher salaries and projects at universities and colleges. OCPA Impact recently filed a challenge to the initiative petition which had gathered more signatures than any other petition before it.

“Yes for 779 responded today with a brief filed that rebuts the latest delay tactic by a special interest lobbying group that wants to deny Oklahomans an opportunity to vote on a comprehensive solution to the education funding crisis and the severe teacher shortage. We are confident in the work of our legal team and the validity of the petition. It’s time to let the people vote,” said campaign spokesperson Ward Curtin.

OCPA Impact has also gained support. Specifically, the support is from the Oklahoma Municipal League and Ignite Oklahoma. Both organizations filed amicus curiae briefs with the Oklahoma Supreme Court this week supporting OCPA Impact’s protest of the way the gist of the initiative petition was worded.


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  1. Vernon Woods, 02 July, 2016

    OCPA, Oklahoma Municipal League, and Ignite Oklahoma have my vote!
    Just look at the higher ed hikes enacted just mandated, with no accountability or justification.

  2. Jimbo, 02 July, 2016

    Just remember what the State Legislature did to us on Liquor by the drink, legalized gambling, and the ” Highly touted Education Lottery”. Why doesn’t the Legislature do their jobs and support our children’s education? There is no certainty that education will benefit from this tax increase, it is written with too many open ended questions. Give it a very careful consideration before voting. The teachers deserve a raise but again that’s why we have a Legislature to develop answers to these issues not OU’s president. Something smells here.

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