Political Pulse
Arkansas legisltors postpone education funding recommendation
(OK) Arkansas’ House and Senate education committees decided Tuesday to delay making a recommendation on future per-student funding for the state’s public school system.
The committees, which met jointly Tuesday, adopted a report by the Joint Adequacy Evaluation Oversight Subcommittee that did not contain a recommendation concerning future education funding adjustments. The subcommittee voted Aug. 21 to recommend that the Legislature increase per-student funding by 2.5 percent for the 2011-12 school year and by 2.9 percent for the 2012-13 school year. On Monday, however, the subcommittee agreed to expunge the previous vote after several education committee members expressed concern that the panel had moved too quickly and that more information was needed before making a recommendation.
According to a published report, the committees indicated they would arrive at a recommendation for the Legislature’s Joint Budget Committee by Nov. 1.
Whatever recommendation the committees make could impact Oklahoma if State Question 744 is approved by voters in November’s general election. If approved, the measure would tie Oklahoma's annual education budget to the regional average for per-pupil spending in the six bordering states, including Arkansas.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Oklahoma's 2006-2007 per-pupil spending ranked 49th in the nation, last in the region.
Election board certifies primary runoff results
(POL) The Oklahoma State Election Board on Tuesday certified results for the state primary runoff elections held on Aug. 24, granting final approval to the state’s two newest lawmakers.
There were 11 primary runoffs to decide five Democrat and six Republican battles. The board certified results for the nine state races Tuesday and will certify results for the two congressional nomination battles at a separate meeting in September.
Read more: Election board certifies primary runoff results
Corrections reform can help save state money, McAffrey says
(POL) Stimulating the economy and promoting job growth are the most important things legislators can do today, but Rep. Al McAffrey said that if he is re-elected to a third term, he hopes to also focus on corrections and health care issues, which also affect the state economy.
McAffrey, D-Oklahoma City, is seeking re-election in House District 88. While he is proud of the work he has done on children’s issues, health care and transportation, he said he has not been successful in his mission of reducing the state’s incarceration rate. That is something he hopes to focus on in 2011 if re-elected.
“We have to be smart on crime instead of tough on crime,” he said.
Read more: Corrections reform can help save state money, McAffrey says
Candidates discuss disability issues
(POL) Seventeen candidates – along with one liaison to a candidate – running for state and federal offices spoke at a Saturday forum discussing issues affecting disabled citizens.
The event occurred at the Oklahoma History Center and was sponsored by the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council and the Heartland Council for the Blind. The candidates discussed education, transportation, budgetary matters and job creation, along with other issues.
House District 84 Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, was the first to speak.
“One of the things that’s near and dear to my heart is education,” Kern said. “I’ve been fortunate to get legislation passed to advance education.”
Kern said she was instrumental in passing HB 3393. Kern said the bill, which she co-sponsored, provides more opportunities for disabled students.
The bill, by Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Patrick Anderson, R-Enid, creates the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Act to provide a scholarship to a private school of choice for students with disabilities for whom an individualized education program, or IEP, has been developed, to be awarded beginning with the 2010-2011 school year. The bill allows a parent or legal guardian of a public school student with a disability to exercise their parental option and request to have a scholarship awarded for the child to enroll in and attend a private school if the student has spent the prior year at a public school and the student has been accepted into a private school eligible for the scholarship program. The bill establishes parameters for private schools to qualify to participate in the scholarship program, including meeting the accreditation requirements set by the State Board of Education or another accrediting association and demonstrating fiscal soundness through one year of operation or providing the Department of Education a statement from a certified public accountant. The bill also establishes parameters for student participation and payment of the scholarship. It states that no liability shall arise on the part of the state or a school district based on the award or use of any scholarship provided under the act.
Kern said she would also support a bill that would make the federal Americans with Disabilities Act state law.
“If there’s no enforcement, then it should be voted in,” Kern said.
Read more: Candidates discuss disability issues
Fallin holds lead over Askins, Rasmussen poll indicates
(POL) Republican Congresswoman Mary Fallin holds a 15-point lead over Lt. Gov. Jari Askins in the race to be Oklahoma’s next governor, according to the latest Rasmussen Report poll.
According to the group’s statewide telephone survey of likely voters, 52 percent picked Fallin, the Republican nominee, and 37 percent picked Askins, the Democrat nominee. Four percent preferred another candidate although there is no other candidate in the race, and 7 percent reported being undecided.
An earlier survey not long after the July 27 primary showed Fallin with a 57 percent to 36 percent lead over Askins. In surveys conducted since February, Fallin’s support has remained in the 51-57 percent range against Askins, who has received between 32 percent and 37 percent support during the same period, according to the survey’s analysis.
Read more: Fallin holds lead over Askins, Rasmussen poll indicates
