Weekly Opinion Editorial
by Steve Fair
On Monday February 2nd (Groundhog Day), Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt delivered his last State of the State address to a joint session of the Oklahoma legislature. Stitt proposed sending four issues to a vote of the people: (1) a state question to put an annual 3% cap on state spending growth, (2) a state question that would freeze property tax, (3) a state question making the Superintendent of Public Instruction (State School Superintendent) an appointed position, (4) a state question reversing legalized marijuana in Oklahoma.
Stitt also called for the elimination of the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA), which drew criticism from the Oklahoma Officials Association (OOA) and others. The OSSAA is a member driven organization, governed by the 482 school districts that join voluntarily, like a co-op. Stitt's issue with the OSSAA appears to be their transfer policy for athletics.
In a clear swipe at Attorney General Drummond, who is running for governor in 2026, Stitt said the McGirt ruling by the US Supreme Court was divisive and created a double standard for citizens in the state. AG Drummond supports the McGirt decision, while Stitt has been at odds with the tribes over the ruling. "I challenge Oklahomans to elect people who are committed to these values and protect these simple truths.” Stitt said.
Three observations:
First, why do Oklahoma voters always have to do the heavy lifting? Two of Stitt's proposed state question issues could be done by the state legislature without a state question. Granted, their action wouldn't amend the state constitution, but it would accomplish the same thing. If every important issue has to go to a vote of people, why have a legislature?
Has Oklahoma really progressed? Back in the early 1990s, a rag tag bunch of citizens got fed up with annual tax increases from the Oklahoma legislature and ran a grassroots initiative petition campaign. Approved by voters in 1992, SQ #640 became a part of the state constitution. It requires a 75% super majority in both chambers to raise taxes and that has only happened once since 1992. The legislature hates 640, but it has saved Oklahomans millions of dollars. Now the governor wants citizens to do what the GOP led legislature won't do- exercise restraint and disciple.
Second, taking away the right to vote on a statewide elected official is a hard sell. Oklahoma elects eleven statewide elected executive officials, third highest in the country. Only Mississippi and North Dakota elect more statewides. Making some of Oklahoma's statewide offices appointed positions might be efficient, but it transfers power from the people to the governor. All eleven officials are currently accountable directly to the people. Consolidation of power is not usually a good idea.
Third, monkeying with property tax is a risky strategy. Local school districts and county government rely on property tax. No one likes to pay taxes, but taxes are necessary to provide funding for those entities. If property tax is frozen or eliminated, that funding has to be made up somewhere else or cuts have to be made. You can't get blood out of a turnip. Property tax is the devil we know. While it might not be the best vehicle to fund schools and county government, it is one we know. What is the alternative plan to make up the funding property tax provide? No one seems to know.
Stitt closed his address by quoting President Reagan's "A Time for Choosing," speech. We have a rendezvous with destiny," the governor concluded. The truth is Oklahoma is more like the Groundhog Day movie- the more things change the more they remain the same.
IS OKLAHOMA'S DESTINY GROUNDHOG DAY?Click the headline to read this full article, IS OKLAHOMA'S DESTINY GROUNDHOG DAY?, at FAIR AND BIASED
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