Every sin tax Oklahoma passed in the last 40 years was done to "help the children.”

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

820 Not For Kids!

by Steve Fair

    Oklahomans start voting this week on whether to expand marijuana use in the Sooner state.  Early voting begins Thursday, March 2^nd, at county election boards across the state.  SQ#820, if approved, would allow recreational use of pot for those over 21.  Advocates contend the state is losing millions of dollars in tax revenue by not taxing dopehead use.  They say the tax from recreational use could be used to ‘help the children.’  Currently only medical use of weed is legal in Oklahoma.  Three observations:

     First, every sin tax Oklahoma passed in the last 40 years was done to ‘help the children.”  Liquor by the drink, parimutuel horse track betting, the state lottery, and casino gambling all were marketed/peddled to Okies as vehicles to provide more money for education.  The tax revenue windfall from each was supposed to improve Oklahoma children’s quality of life by making them healthy, wealthy and wise.  Never mind the aforementioned did major damage to Oklahoma families by promoting addictive activities.  A strategy to smoke, drink and gamble the way to prosperity seems foolhardy, irresponsible, and bad public policy.  Most of the time the tax revenue from ‘sin’ tax is a net loss to a community.  According to the National Highway Safety Administration, in states where pot has been legalized for recreational use, fatal traffic accidents attributed to DUIs associated with pot have skyrocketed.  The only high drivers we need in Oklahoma are those driving up Mt. Scott.

     Second, liberals are pushing SQ#820.  Out of state liberals have pumped $3.2 million dollars into the campaign to move Oklahoma to the left.  The same people who in 2022 ran the shady, dark money group Clean Up Oklahoma are mailing Vote Yes on SQ#820 push cards to voters.  They are spending millions of dollars to convince Oklahoma voters weed is not a gateway drug and legalizing it would be great for the state.  The head of the Yes group is a former Bernie Sanders staffer and the money for the affirmative campaign is not coming from Oklahomans.  Why would liberals spend that kind of money in a conservative state?  Because SQ#820 is a ‘test balloon’ for those liberals to identify pockets of strength for their progressive agenda.  They believe Oklahoma, with its libertarian leanings, is low hanging fruit for progressives.  They could be right.

     Third, the get-out-of-jail free element of SQ#820 is imprecise and obscure.  If approved some people would get their sentences for weed offences expunged.  It is unclear exactly how the process will work, but the Yes folks say it will result in less court cases.  Oklahomans have seen the results of liberal meddling into the criminal code.  SQ 780 and 781 decriminalized many crimes and changed felonies to misdemeanors, and resulted in the release of lawbreakers back into the community.  According to the FBI crime data base, criminal activity in the state is up since the two bills were passed.  Oklahoma’s violent crime rate is higher than New York and California.  Oklahoma law enforcement has been hamstringed.  SQ 820 is along the same line as 780 and 781.  It advocates forgiveness without justice and compassion without fairness.

    There is no way a majority of Oklahoma voters want legalized, reactional marijuana in the state.  But that majority must vote.  Rest assured the stoners, tokers and dope smokers will get their vote out.  The question is- will the sober, clear-headed and temperate show up?  That remains to be seen.  The world is run by those who show up.  If Oklahomans care about the state(and their children), they will vote No on State Question #820.

Education is important, but it isn’t the only factor determining a child’s success in life!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

SUCCESS SET UP!

by Steve Fair

 

     The Oklahoma legislature is in session and funding for secondary education tops the agenda.  Speaker of the House Charles McCall, (R-Atoka) has penned two bills. HB 2775, if implemented would increase funding to public schools by $500 million.  HB 2775 includes an across-the-board annual pay raise for all classroom teachers of $2,500, which totals $150 million.  $300 million would be distributed to school districts across the state on a per pupil basis and $50 million would be sent to the lower income school districts in the state.   

     The second bill by the Speaker is HB 1935.  It allows a $5,000 annual tax credit for parents of students attending a private school.  HB 1935 also includes a $2,500 annual tax credit for homeschooled students. The tax credits would be retroactive, so parents would benefit on their 2023 tax returns.

     “This plan works for every education stakeholder in our state.  We know the key to future success is a great education and House Republicans are committed to ensuring each student can attend the school that best meets their needs.  We must accomplish our education goals without eroding necessary funding to our public schools and our public school teachers wo are so vital to student academic excellence,” McCall said.

     If the two bills pass and are signed into law, it would put Oklahoma ahead of bordering states, Arkansas and Missouri, tied with Kansas and just behind Texas in per pupil expenditure on education.  McCall claims the two bills will set every child in the state up for success.  It is reported Governor Stitt and Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Waters both support the two bills.  Three observations on the two bills:

     First, teachers don’t teach for the money.  If an educator were in it for the money, they wouldn’t have chosen education.  Oklahoma classroom teachers deserve a raise.  But money alone will not fix Oklahoma education.  According to the National Center for Education Statistics in 2021 only one fourth of Oklahoma secondary students were proficient when looking at all grades/all subjects.  Test scores have declined in the past five years- even after Oklahoma taxpayers have funded record increases for education.  Education leaders need to come to the table with more than just requests for more tax dollars.  Oklahoma needs to make some hard decisions regarding secondary education.

     Second, the tax credit is a compromise.  Governor Stitt, and others,  favored a voucher system, which would have allowed parents to control a portion of the per pupil funding districts receive for each student.  They championed the idea the money followed the student- to a public or private school. 

     After the governor’s State of the State address, in which he endorsed school choice, public school education, especially rural districts, mobilized.  They claimed Stitt’s proposed voucher system would have closed schools and successfully alarmed enough people to get the Governor and the legislature to find middle ground on the contentious issue.

     Third, the hit to state revenue from HB 1935 is difficult to determine.  The current Oklahoma state income tax bracket is 4.75%.   It is estimated only 5% of all K-12 students in Oklahoma go to private schools.  In order for a family of 4 to take their full $20,000 tax credit associated with HB 1935, their annual taxable income would have to be $425,000. The truth is that most private school student parents will not benefit the full amount of the tax credit. 

     Setting up a child for success in education doesn’t happen when tax dollars are spent and teachers get a raise.  Oklahoma taxpayers have been told for decades that education success was just around the bend- if only more money is spent.  Education is important, but it isn’t the only factor determining a child’s success in life.   A child is set up for success when their parents stay involved in their offspring’s life and guide them to recognize their chief end is to love God and love others. 

BIDEN HIT ALL THE LIBERAL HOT BUTTON ISSUES!

 Weekly Opinion Editorual

FINISH BIDEN’S POLITICAL CAREER!

by Steve Fair

     The State of the Union address has become more of a self-promoting propaganda tool than a report to Congress.  While President Joe Biden wasn’t the first to use the speech to promote political philosophy, he was the first to unveil his campaign tag line.  Repeating, ‘let’s finish the job,’ at least 7 times during his speech, the POTUS hit at least 7 liberal hot button issues.  Here they are in no particular order:

     First and foremost, Biden wants to raise taxes.  “No billionaire should pay less taxes than a firefighter or policeman. The tax plan is not fair,” Biden said.  He is right about it being unfair, but there are not enough billionaires to make his plan work.  Currently the top 1% of wage earners are paying 40% of the total tax burden.  The bottom 50% pay just 2% of the total.  It’s the 49% in the middle who are paying their unfair share.  Neither Party has done a good job of revamping the tax code.    

     Second, Biden wants to give teachers a raise.  Few people believe school teachers are overpaid, but should raises not be tied to results?  Poor outcomes by public educators have been tolerated for decades.  It is past time to have a merit system for teacher pay.  One size doesn’t fit all. 

     Third, Biden wants to help unions organize.  Democrats have lost ground with their once reliable support from unions.  President Trump made inroads with them in the 2016 election.  They saw the failed policies of the Democrats had eroded the once thriving manufacturer base in America.  Biden recognizes Democrats need to get unions back to win.

      Fourth, Biden wants to cut oil and gas consumption.  “We may need gas and oil for the next ten years,” Biden said to laughter in the chamber.  America using a majority of clean energy is decades away from reality, a fact most liberals will concede.  That was why Biden’s remark was met with so many hoots and hollers.

     Fifth, Biden wants to increase regulations on private business. Gas and oil companies top the list of businesses Biden wants to go after.  Citing the price of gas at the pump and food at the shelf, Biden said; “Capitalism without competition is extortion.”  Biden said.  But it’s not.  Extortion is against the law and companies that break the law should be prosecuted, but when you have a limited supply and a high demand, the price must go up to balance out the equation.  Simple economics teaches that high prices are the cure for high prices.  More regs will hurt private business and prolong economic recovery.

     Sixth, Biden wants to limit gun ownership.  Mentioning ‘assault weapons’ as guns he wants to ban, Biden played to the liberal base.  The Second Amendment is just a little too pesky for the Democrats.  While disarming America is their goal,  they fail to acknowledge the issue is not the gun, but the heart of the person misusing the gun.

     Seventh, Biden wants to reverse the reversal of Roe vs. Wade.  Killing babies in the womb is a longtime plank in the Democrat Party platform and one of the major differences in the two Parties.  Biden was obligated to kowtow/grovel to the base on that issue and he checked the box. 

     When Biden said Republican lawmakers wanted to cut Social Security and Medicare, Republicans in the chamber begin to shout and yell.  The POTUS appeared rattled and momentarily got off script, but recovered quickly and got back on message. 

     “Let’s finish the job,” Biden said to conclude the speech. Clearly, this is the ‘theme’ of Biden’s re-election campaign.  Just think- millions of dollars were spent on research with focus groups and advertising professionals to come up with those four words.        

      Americans should finish Biden’s political career by sending him home.  The 80-year-old shuffled in and out of the chamber, looked his age, and his overall appearance did not instill confidence in his cognitive skills.  It’s not just Republicans who want Biden to not seek re-election.  Many Democrats want Biden to be finished, but at this point, they don’t have anyone who is a viable candidate to knock him off in the primary. 

Recreational use of marijuana is bad public policy!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

SQ#820 IS WHITE ELEPHANT!

by  Steve Fair

 

     On Tuesday March 7^th, Oklahoma voters will go to the polls and vote on State Question #820.  If approved, it would create a state law legalizing recreational use of marijuana for persons 21 or older.  It would add a 15% excise tax incremental recreational use sales tax to the other taxes already on legal pot.  The last day to request an absentee ballot for the election is Monday February 20^th.  In person early voting will be available on Thursday March 2^nd and Friday March 3^rd from 8am-6pm. 

     Proponents of SQ 820 assert passage will safely regulate and tax weed in the Sooner state, generate millions of dollars for state government to spend on schools, health care and public safety and expunge criminal records of people who they say, ‘made one small mistake.’  They also claim it would generate an estimated $821 million of tax revenue over a five-year period.

    Those opposed to SQ #820 point to state data that shows a 4,000% increase in children overdosing on cannabis since medical marijuana became legal in Oklahoma in 2018.  “People want to say that this(SQ820) is good tax revenue for the state, but if we were to do this, no amount of money is worth putting our kids at risk,” Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn maintains.  Three observations about SQ#820:

     First, marijuana can often be a gateway drug.  The National Institute of Drug Abuse found adults who reported using weed were more than likely to abuse other harder drugs.  In other words, those who used marijuana often went to other harder drugs. That is supported by data from the Centers of Disease Control(CDC).

     The CDC says there are multiple short and long-term effects of marijuana on the brain.  They suggest frequent use of pot can cause disorientation, anxiety, paranoia, and depression.   The CDC says temporary psychosis and schizophrenia are also more likely to be developed by those who use cannabis. 

     Second, sin taxes don’t overset their cost to communities.  Taxes on alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and medical marijuana may generate revenue for state government, but their expansion has been devastating to communities and families.  From increased crime to addictions, the financial impact has been of negative net effect to the state.   

     Third, medical marijuana should be regulated like other medications.  Few dispute that weed has medicinal benefits for certain medical conditions, but clearly Oklahoma’s current ‘medical marijuana’ law needs to be addressed.  When 10% of Oklahomans(376,000)  have a medical marijuana card, clearly much of the use is not ‘medical’ in nature.  Oklahoma, by far, has the highest share in the country of percent of population according to the Marijuana Policy Project.

     Most Oklahomans are unaware there is an election on Tuesday March 7^th.  Because of that, voter turnout will likely be low.  There is no doubt proponents of SQ#820 will show up.  Opponents of the proposal must vote to stop expansion of drug use in the state.  

     There are two primary reasons Oklahomans should vote no on State Question #820.  The first is the expungement component of SQ#820.  Who is eligible for expungement is ambiguous/obscure/unclear.  The second reason is because recreational use of marijuana is bad public policy.  The challenges legal pot creates dramatically offset the tax benefits.  Increased addiction and crime is not something to promote in Oklahoma.  SQ#820 is a white elephant investment. 

An increase in humility and self-abnegation might result in God’s healing of America!

Weekly Opinion Editorial 

SELF PROMOTION

by Steve Fair

     The desire and drive to self-promote is synonymous with the heart of mankind.  Everyone is tempted to exalt and extol themselves, on either a large or small scale.  Trying to impress others by bragging on accomplishments, earned credentials, prestigious positions, and important responsibilities has become a growing phenomenon.  In modern day America, humility and meekness are considered undesirable character traits.  Bragging, swagger, self-confidence and bluster are coveted attributes.   Three observations:

     First, no one does self-promotion better than politicians.  That seems to be part of the job description..  “I am not sure I know the answer to that complex problem,” said no politico ever.  The self-described public servant has an answer for everything and they put their own ‘spin’ on it.

     How effective a politician can put ‘spin’ on issues and situations determines just how far they can go in the industry.   Spin isn’t about suppressing the truth, but more about leaving out truth from the narrative.  As the old saying goes; “No one knows what you know or what you don’t know.” Political operatives are paid big bucks to ‘spin’ stories to an unsuspecting public.  The goal is to ‘sell’ the message.  The key to stopping the ‘spin’ is a public that is skeptical and a little bit cynical. If citizens stayed consistently engaged and paid close attention to their government, the spin doctor’s tales would fall on deaf ears.  

     Second, self-promotion is self-serving.  Self-promotion is often nothing more than idle chatter and accomplishes nothing.  “Put your money where your mouth is,’ means action follow words.  Self-promotion can energize a crowd and might lead to action, but in most cases it does little more than glorify the self-promoter. Most braggarts are quick to point out their superiority over others.  They can run faster and jump higher than anyone else, but actually running a race requires capital they are unwilling to invest. 

     Third, self-promotion is not Christian.  Throughout scripture, believers are told to be meek, humble, self-effacing, discreet, and unassuming.  No place in the Bible commands believers to ‘toot your own horn,’ or to ‘pat yourself on the back.’  Yet, the vast majority of politicians, even those who profess to be believers, never miss a chance to brag and boast of what they have accomplished.  Solomon wrote that pride goes before a fall.   Jeremiah 9:23 says a smart man shouldn’t boast about his intelligence, a strong man about his strength and a rich man about his wealth.  True believers brag on Christ, and not themselves. 

     Self-promotion naturally flows out of all men, even when trying to suppress it. The growth of social media has contributed to the rise of self-promotion. However, the real issue is the gullibility of citizens that are easily persuaded to believe something that is not only half true or not true at all. But not all are fooled by self-promotion.  In a 2015 study by the Association of Psychological Science (APS), self-promoters were often perceived in a negative way by those they are trying to impress.  Instead of accomplishing the desired effect of impressing others, they actually damage their image with their target audience.   What braggers and self-promoters don’t recognize is while they are lifting themselves up, they often unintentionally put others down.  They come across as conceited and self-centered. 

     The old saying, ‘it ain’t bragging if you can do it,’ is dumb.  It doesn’t cease to be boasting just because you can do it.  An increase in humility and self-abnegation in America just might result in God’s healing of our land.

Unity is job of individual Republicans, not the RNC Chair!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

UNITY NOT GROUP HUG!

by Steve Fair

 

     On Friday, the Republican National Committee (RNC) voted 111-51-4 to re-elect Ronna Romney McDaniel as Chairman.  With her election to a fourth term, McDaniel becomes the longest-serving RNC Chair since the Civil War.  She faced a formative challenge from Harmeet Dhillon, the National Committeewoman from California and Mike Lindell of My Pillow fame.  After her victory, a relieved McDaniel invited Dhillon and Lindell to the stage as a show of a sign of unity.  “With us united, and all of us working together, the Democrats are going to hear us in 2024,” McDaniel declared.

     Dhillon told reporters immediately after exiting the stage the GOP is not united.  “Nobody’s going to unite around the Party the way it is, which is seemingly ignoring the grassroots,” Dhillon said.  Lindell, who had predicted he would win the race but got only four votes, had no comment on his poor showing. Even in a show of solidarity, the GOP was ungracious.  Three observations:

     First, the GOP is historically a Party of disunity.  The modern Republican Party seems to always have tension and unrest.  Whether its pro-life Republicans being dismissed by pro-choice Rs or fiscal conservatives being trivialized by other GOPers, turbulence and strife are more the rule than the exception in the Party of Lincoln.  Agreeing to disagree is not practiced.  Demonizing fellow Republicans is the sport of choice.  From precinct level to the RNC, debating and attacking those who only agree 80% of the time has been the main reason Republicans haven’t dominated politics for decades.

     Second, Democrats can disagree and still unite.  A classic example is the recent Speaker of the House race.  Speaker Kevin McCarthy, (R-CA) was elected on the 15^th ballot.  Every single Democrat House member voted every single time for minority leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, (D-NY).  They epitomized steadfastness/unity.  They are willing to focus on the majors in governing, unlike some Republicans, who are willing to lose in order to make a point.  The Dems have come a long way since Will Rogers declared he was a not a member of an organized political Party- he was a Democrat[S1] . 

     Third, America loses, when Republicans govern with a disagreeable penchant.  Holding out for nothing when you could settle for something is irrational, yet time and time elected Republicans can’t seem to come together.  When the Grand Ole Party is in power, being contentious keeps the country from moving forward.  

     Most registered Republicans have no idea the job responsibilities/duties of the RNC Chairman.  Unifying the Party is not a specific function of the job.  The rules of the Party are clear; the Chair’s job is to conduct a fair and impartial presidential primary every four years(and raise tons of money).  Therein lies the problem.  Ronna McDaniel was hand-picked to lead the RNC by former President Trump.  Will McDaniel run a fair primary with objectivity? Will she be neutral and give every candidate equality or will she attempt to ‘tilt the table’ to help Trump?  The 168 members of the Republican National Committee’s job now becomes to hold McDaniel accountable to adhere to RNC Rule 11(no endorsing in primaries).  

     Regarding ‘Unity of the Party,’ that job is on individual Republicans, not the RNC Chair.  The Republican Party claims to be ‘bottom up/grassroots’ driven.  True unity happens when a fair primary is conducted, a nominee chosen(at whatever level) and grassroots Republican voters coalesce around the nominee and help get them elected.  Unity is not some group hug on a national stage.

    

Legislators waste tax dollars grandstanding!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

MAN, BEAST, PROPERTY NOT SAFE!

    The Oklahoma legislature ended filing of bills for this session on Thursday.  The 48 member Senate filed a total of 1,116 bills and 18 Senate Joint Resolutions.  That is an average of 23.25 bills per senator. 

     The 101 member Oklahoma House of Representatives filed 1,901 bills( up 419 from last year) and 44 House Joint Resolutions.  That is an average of 19 bills per representative.  All told, state lawmakers will be considering over 3,000 bills this year.  In 2022, 416 bills became law. 

     Legislative rules allow for appropriation bills to be filed throughout the session and rest assured, there will be several.  The rules also allow for the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House to initiate legislation at any time.

    The Oklahoma Constitution sets the date for the legislature to meet.  This year, it will convene on Monday February 6^th and  adjourn by May 26^th.  If taxpayers want to research  legislation, they can go to www.okhouse.gov or www.oksenate.gov. 

     One bill certain to be controversial is a school choice proposal by Sen. Julie Daniels, (R--Bartlesville and Sen. Shane Jett, (R-Shawnee) that would allow parents the option of tapping a portion of their children’s education dollars to pay for a variety of education services, including tuition.  That bill number is SB#822. 

     After meeting with a group of public school educators on Wednesday, Sen. Adam Pugh, (R-Edmond), the Chair of the Senate Education committee, released a four point public education agenda, detailing his support of public school teachers.  President Pro Tempore Sen. Greg Treat, (R-Edmond) praised Pugh’s agenda in a press release.  Often when leadership opposes a bill, it never gets to the floor for a vote. SB#822 faces an uphill battle. 

     Rep. Josh West refilled HB#1030, which would require a consumer’s consent for their personal data to be collected.  West’s bill passed the House last year, but did not get a vote in the Senate.   "Major technology companies track our every conversation, our spending records, our movements and so much more and then sell that information so it can be used to socially engineer us through marketing manipulation," West said. Three observations::

     First, lawmakers need to major on the majors.  Appropriations, revenue, taxation bills should be at the forefront.  Money bills should be paramount, but inevitably they are pushed to the back of the line and considered last.  Often the fiscal year budget is the last bill to pass in a legislative session. 

     Oklahoma tax payers deserve meaningful tax cuts in 2023.  State government is flush in money and lawmakers have generously handed out raises to state employees, teachers, and others.  It’s time to give the taxpayer back some of their money and it should be a significant/consequential amount, not some negligible token tossed to taxpayers like they were a beggar on the street.    

     Second, taxpayers/voters/citizens should pay attention.  Legislators seldom hear from constituents until a citizen is angry.  Careful, deliberate, continual monitoring of what is going on at the legislature will result in more accountability.  People often do what is ‘inspected’ more than what is ‘expected.’  The web sites mentioned above are a place to start.  When you communicate with your legislator, be clear, concise, and respectful.  Expressing your opinion in a constructive effectual manner can often result in their being better informed.  A good legislator will welcome the input because it will keep them in tune with what their district and state want and need.

     Third, there are too many bills.  House bills filed were up +22% vs last year, Senate bills up +18.8%.  Many of these bills are repetitious/redundant and unnecessary.  Lawmakers wrongly believe they must get bills passed into law in order to be effective.  The truth is legislators are sent to the Capitol to ‘represent’ their constituents/district and to ‘vet’ legislation.

 .  Filing bills on controversial issues to call attention to themselves is not a part of their job description.  These 3,000 bills have to be organized and considered, with there being only a 13% chance of one making it on the books.  A great deal of taxpayer funded time and money is being wasted for legislators to grandstand.

     Back in the 1930s, when the Oklahoma legislature was in Democrat control, the late Will Rogers said when they were in session, ‘neither man, beast or property’ was safe.  Sadly, not much has changed in the past century. Oklahoma taxpayers/voters/citizens better pay close attention to what is happening at 23^rd and Lincoln(State Capitol) in 2023.