To Comfort The Afflicted
And Afflict The Comfortable

To Comfort The Afflicted And Afflict The Comfortable

Friday, March 29, 2024

Observercast

Freshman Legislator’s Criticism Misdirected

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BY MIKE W. RAY

Sunday’s Oklahoman newspaper informed us that first-term state Rep. Tom Gann, a Republican from Inola, is “concerned about local control after an attorney general’s opinion.”

Seems an AG’s opinion “confirms that the state Department of Education can overrule a local school board that rejects a charter school application.”

“I am disappointed to see our attorney general disregard local government and duly-elected representatives on a local school board,” Gann was quoted as saying. “Regardless of the pros and cons of charter schools versus public schools, this is a new, unprecedented concentration of power in the hands of the governor, who appoints every member of the SDE.”

To loosely paraphrase the Bible: As the GOP sows, so shall it reap.

Rep. Gann’s criticism is misplaced. In pointing a finger of blame, Gann need only look at his own Republican colleagues.

The genesis of his complaint can be traced to SB 782, which the Republican-controlled Legislature approved 28 months ago.

SB 782 permits the State Board of Education to sponsor a charter school if an application has first been denied by a local school district.

Authors of the measure were then-Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, and former House Speaker Pro Tempore Lee Denney, R-Cushing.

The bill passed the Senate by an overwhelming margin, 35-7.

In the House of Representatives, SB 782 was endorsed on a 64-31 vote recorded on April 14, 2015. All 64 “aye” votes were cast by Republicans; voting in opposition were 26 Democrats and 5 Republicans.

Rep. Gann receives an “F” grade for insufficient homework on this issue.

Mike W. Ray, a veteran Oklahoma journalist, lives in Oklahoma City. He recently retired after four years as media director for state House Democrats.

Mark Krawczyk
Mark Krawczyk
March 9, 2023
Exceptional reporting about goings on in my home state as well as informative opinion pieces that makes people think about issues of the day...........get a SUBSCRIPTION FOLKS!!!!!!!
Brette Pruitt
Brette Pruitt
September 5, 2022
The Observer carries on the "give 'em hell" tradition of its founder, the late Frosty Troy. I read it from cover to cover. A progressive wouldn't be able to live in a red state without it.