Articles

Oklahoma taxpayers have no direct way to judge whether or not they are getting a good "bang for the buck" for the goods and services provided by the public sector.

Governments at all levels are facing severe budget deficits and prolonged fiscal crises amid the national economic recession. With the federal government facing a record $1.4 trillion deficit and at least 44 states facing a cumulative $281 billion in budget deficits through 2011, privatization and public-private partnerships have become increasingly prominent in fiscal policy debates. They will remain so in 2010 as policymakers attempt to reduce the price of government in response to ongoing budget woes.

The Oklahoma Education Association (OEA) is the most powerful labor union in Oklahoma. Their representatives, including lobbyists who roam the halls of the state capitol building, often are schoolteachers who have left the classroom in order to become OEA employees.

I have friends who suffer from drug or alcohol addiction and others who, when untreated, manifest dreadful misbehavior rooted in mental disease. Those who effectively grapple with such issues tell me repeatedly the verity of an old expression that lies at the heart of recovery philosophies: The first thing is you have to admit you have a problem.

I can't go to any fast food restaurant these days without being asked if I would like to "super-size" my order. After seeing my waistline gradually expand, I've started to answer, "No thanks!"

A news story in yesterday's Tulsa World informed us that "Revenue shortfalls of near-catastrophic proportions forced state officials into across-the-board budget cuts Tuesday ..."

Let's hope brighter minds prevail on global warming and the impact of carbon dioxide before "cap and trade" becomes law.

Oklahoma's share of President Obama's federal "stimulus" package will come to approximately $2.6 billion over two years-or an average of $1.3 billion per year. This certainly sounds like a lot of money, but it pales in comparison to what the federal government already sends to Oklahoma.

News reports tell us that a revenue shortfall is likely for state government during the current fiscal year. Reduced allocations to state agencies are probable.

UCO economist Mickey Hepner is a staunch supporter of Barack Obama, yet in this excellent column Dr. Hepner explains why "this outrageous spending must stop."