VOTE NO ON SQ#832!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

VOTE NO SQ#832!

by Steve Fair

 

Only one state question qualified for the June 16th primary ballot- State Question #832 (SQ#832), which if approved would immediately increase the minimum wage in Oklahoma to $9.00 an hour.  It would mandate automatic increases for the next three years to a rate of $15 per hour in 2029.  There has not been an increase in the federal minimum wage since 2009.  Three observations on SQ#832:

First, labor costs are ultimately paid by consumers.  Companies don't pay wages- consumers do.  Higher labor costs result in price increases on goods and services.  That would result in inflation.  Voters should recognize if SQ#832 became law, they would be paying the higher wages, not employers. 

Increasing the minimum wage would likely lead to a 'ripple effect,' where all wages increase- not just those earning the minimum wage.  Employers can't absorb or eat labor cost increases- they have to pass it on to remain viable. 

Second, SQ#832 would hurt those it claims it would help.  Employers operate on a labor cost factor.  If the minimum wage is increased, employers will have to lower the number of employees to remain profitable.  A business has two fundamental choices: (1) raise their prices or (2) adjust their staffing numbers down to avoid price increases.  Those getting paid the minimum wage are overwhelmingly entry level and have little training or experience.  SQ#832 would reduce the number of people getting that on the job experience.

Third, every employee works for themself.  No one in America is forced to work for someone else- slavery is illegal in the U.S.  If an employee isn't satisfied with what they are getting paid, they should find another job.  They should sell their services to the highest bidder.  People with skills or experience can leverage their productivity to get higher wages.  If a short sighted, skin flint employer is short changing employees, they will/should pay the price.  Their most marketable/employable people will leave.  Talented productive people will find gainful employment.   

Advocates for SQ#832 claim raising the minimum wage will help combat the affordability crisis.  They point out the price of food, housing, child care, health care, and utilities are up in the United States.  Their solution to fighting this issue is to force businesses to increase wages.  They fail to see raising the minimum wage would result in higher prices and inflation.  It would disproportionately hurt those making minimum wage.

Raise the Wage, the group pushing for SQ#832's passage have some interesting backers.  The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma has contributed $25,000 to the yes campaign.  Some liberal out of state groups will fund the group's campaign, so expect to see lots of misinformation about how increasing the minimum wage is good for Oklahoma. Raise the Wage will have money to get their message out.  Voters should recognize the consequences of approving the socialist policies of SQ#832. 

Good productive employees don't require a mandated wage- bad employees don't deserve one.  Vote No on SQ#832!

OKLAHOMANS OVERPAYING THEIR TAX BILL!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

by Steve Fair

 

This week, the Oklahoma legislature passed a nearly $13 billion dollar state budget for fiscal year 2027- SB#1177.  The budget is slightly more than last year.   SB#1177 passed the House 76-18 (7 members didn't vote) and the Senate 28-17 (3 members didn't vote).  It barely got the votes it needed in the Senate (25).  Seven of the eight Democrats in the Senate voted no, joined by ten GOP state senators.

Oklahoma has a 'balanced budget' amendment in the state constitution, but the real goal of a state budget should be reduced government spending, rather than a balanced budget.

SB#1177 sets aside $200 million to create a permanent investment fund.  Similar to the state's rainy-day fund, the fund's stated goal is to generate a reliable revenue stream to safeguard essential services during down economic trends.  

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, (R-Bristow) said: "This budget reflects our commitment to investing in Oklahoma’s future while remaining responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.” The budget includes teacher pay raises, increased funding for the Department of Mental Health and the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority. 

First, Oklahomans are clearly overpaying their tax bill.  Government never adjusts its budget down, like citizens have to. 

Oklahoma taxpayers are struggling in these challenging economic times- higher prices on gas and food, but no increase in wages.  Taxpayers have to live on less, but government never takes a hit, no matter the economic climate. 

Instead of putting $200 million into an investment fund, return that money to the people it belongs to- the taxpayer who worked and earned it.  Legislative leaders and the governor constantly talk about eliminating the state income tax.  They devise clever schemes, hold marathon meetings, but no stratagem includes ever simply sending the money back to the taxpayer.  When government holds in escrow the overpayment of tax dollars to avoid cuts during the 'hard times,' it's telling taxpayers government knows how to manage taxpayer money better than those who toiled for it.  Refund the overpayment.

Second, politics makes for strange bedfellows.  The Democrats who opposed the budget did so because they wanted the state to spend more money.  The Republicans who voted no claim the budget is too big.  An ancient proverb suggests two parties can work together against a common enemy- "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." 

The GOP senators who voted no on the budget proposed a -4% cut across the board to all agencies, except education, mental health and health care, but were rebuffed by leadership.  It is significant that 25% of GOP state senators opposed the budget.  If those of like opinion are elected in November, they could partner with the Ds and make life difficult for senate leadership.

Third, passage of the state budget this early is unprecedented.  It is the single most important thing the legislature does, but the budget has historically been the last thing done in a session.  It is commendable Oklahoma Republicans (legislative and executive) have shown they can govern with a super majority.  Perhaps they are embracing negotiated compromise. Negotiated compromise is when both sides want something, and they work together to find common ground, with each side giving up something to get to the desired result.  Nah, they aren't going to change and work together, but citizens can always hope.

Passage of the budget sets up a possible scenario where Oklahoma lawmakers could end the legislative session before the 5 p.m. May 29 deadline.  2026 is an election year, and many GOP lawmakers would be thrilled to hit the campaign trail early.  They can't wait to tell us how fiscally conservative they are.

BUY A BIGGER MAILBOX!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

Caveat Sentio!

by Steve Fair

 

The 2026 candidate filings ended on Friday.  611 candidates filed for state, federal, legislative, and judicial offices.  That is the highest number of filings since 2018, when almost 800 filed for office.  The biggest surprise was when term-limited State Auditor Cindy Byrd flip flopped from the Lieutenant Governor race to the State Treasurer race.

Last week, President Trump endorsed former Oklahoma Speaker of the House T.W. Shannon for the Lt. Governor's race, catapulting him to front runner status.  Apparently Byrd saw the handwriting on the wall and exited stage right. 

Congressman Kevin Hern, (R-Tulsa) filed to fill the U.S. Senate seat left open by now-DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin.  Hern will have 3 GOP opponents, but is expected to easily run the race.  12 Republicans and 1 Democrat are running for Hern's 1st Congressional District seat. In the gubernatorial race, there are 9 Republicans, 3 Democrats, and 3 Independents. Current Deputy State Auditor Melissa Capps won the State Auditor race because she did not draw an opponent and won by default.  7 Republicans are running for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, 4 Republicans each filed for Labor Commissioner and Insurance Commissioner. 

A fourth of state legislators up for election drew no opposition- 7 senators, 26 representatives.   23 of Oklahoma's 27 district attorney (DA) positions were filled by default because only one candidate filed for each race, resulting in no opposition.  All but 8 District Judge and Associate District Judge races were not challenged.  Three observations:

First, let the voter beware.  The primary is Tuesday June 16th- 70 days.  Candidates have a short window to 'get their message' out, so every GOP primary candidate will going to tell you how conservative they are.  They will try to 'out hard scrabble' their opponent.  It's amazing how they all have poverty, relentless toll, barrenness and struggle in their past.  But because of their hard work, determination, character, values, and faith, they are where they are today.  They are now selfless, sacrificial, generous, component, wise and most of all humble. public servants.  Cutting through the rhetoric can be exhausting, but entertaining.  Voters need to be skeptics and ask candidates hard questions.  Caveat Sentio (Latin for Let the Voter Beware) must be the battle cry the next two months.

Second, Oklahoma has an apathy issue.  Many races had only one person file.  Many elected officials drew no opposition.  Some of those folk translate to they are doing a stellar job, but that is often not the case.  No one filed against them because sadly Oklahomans don't care!  Voter turnout in the state is the lowest in the country.  Citizen engagement requires vigilant attentiveness.  Paying attention once every two years feeds a cannibalistic political system that simply tells the voter what they want to hear.

Third, candidates need to pay attention to their message.  In his book, The Fallacy of the Rational Voter, Jay Shepard writes: "Politics is not a contest of information.  It is a contest of interpretation.  Voters who decide elections are not spreadsheets waiting to be filled with data; they are human beings navigating uncertainty, loyalty, fear, hope and belonging,” Campaign consultants craft a candidate's message out of cream cheese that will appeal to the public, ignore the truth, but win the election.  They have the advantage of not being incumbered with the truth.

Three things’ voters should remember the next 60 days: (1) There is no perfect candidate.  They are all flawed. (2) No one is indispensable or irreplaceable, (3) When you ask a question, don't give the candidate the answer.  Be wise in how you craft your quiz of a candidate. 

By the way- get a bigger mailbox- you are going to need it.