Sales tax needed to help state's schools
Nearly 200 of the state's superintendents will participate in a December workshop to address the lawsuits they could face if school districts can't cover their expenses for the year.
Gov.-elect Brad Henry endorses a state lottery earmarked for education, but we think, given the threat of lawsuits and even closing school two weeks early, the state legislature needs to take some emergency action. A lottery would be a completely new institution for the state, one that would take time to implement even if it could overcome the opposition it would face. The state's school districts cannot bank on this to solve their spring problems.
Oklahoma City has been revitalizing itself for years with the 1 cent MAPS sales tax. Originally designed for urban renewal, the five-year tax was revitalized as a way to fund public education in the Oklahoma City school district. Some have proposed a statewide version of the 1 cent tax to fund education, and we support this idea.
A lottery will take time to implement and the returns are uncertain. On the other hand, a sales tax could go into effect the day after it was passed.
For those who oppose a tax hike, consider this: What will hurt the state more, paying a single cent more on the dollar or dealing with 200 bankrupt school districts?
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