Comments on: Becky Felts’ Column

By: mary whitworth

mary whitworth — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:10:09 +0000

Becky, I agree fully with anything that gives little ones an equal start! My life has been education, I am retired, but I am still subbing part time. I can use the extra money, but my love for children has not vanished at all. Becky I am so proud of you for being the OEA President! What a great leader you are, because your heart is with education. Remember me from The National Democratic Convention in 2000! Have a great year!!!!!!!! Mary Whitworth

By: Sandy Conner

Sandy Conner — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:43:41 +0000

Becky is right. The children need early education. Learning starts earlier with reading and math in kdg. They need to be reading in first grade now. No child left behind leaves no choices. School for working parents and low income parent’s children is a must. Public education for all who walk through the doors is the way it should be reguardless of behavior, handicap, or income. School choice is not a choice if you cannot get your children to the school. Education for all children ages 4 to 21 is a right.

By: Jim Bynum

Jim Bynum — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:05:16 +0000

In addition, the situation is not a lot different in the urban areas of this state.
Ironically, the states with the higher taxes have a much better wage/hr and a better standard of living. They also have a much better quality of life index.
Ever cross the state lines and notice how nice the roads are or go to Arkansas and look at the best funded schools in the region? Texans pay 2 to 3 times the property taxes that we do. When you reduce the income taxes there must be additional taxes collected either from property owners, corporations, or sales taxes. Where is the revenue source for Oklahoma? When you reduce government in Oklahoma you are reducing education funding. Hello!

By: Jim Bynum

Jim Bynum — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:59:13 +0000

I live in a moderately small rural city. The average rent in this community is $450 to $500 per month for a 1 to 2 bedroom apt or duplex. That does not include utilities. A two parent home with two children would require that the household income be not less than $28440/yr in order to survive. Itemized expenses would likely be Rent $450, Utilities $150/mo, Food $400/mo, health insurance, if available – $800/mo at a minimum, auto expenses $200/mo/1 car, gasoline $170/mo, clothing $50/mo, miscellaneous $100/mo, would include deductibles for health insurance and or meds, entertainment $50/mo, If the children were in school there would be many more required expenses. If the children were not in school there would be additional expenses related to accessories for young children. These are minimums and would not be affedted by any tax credits since they probably wouldn’t have any tax burden.
The working parent would have to take home an avg. weekly salary of $546.92. In order to do that he/she would have to make a minimum of $18.00 per hour. Wally World doesn’t pay anywhere near that wage nor does any other business within $50 miles. Where does the wage earner work and how could they live on one income that is likely to be less than half($7.50-$8.00/hr tops) of the minimum hourly rate required by the previous example. With both parents working there is a likelyhood that together they might get to within 90% of the minimum required. Oklahoma is a “Right to Work” state which only serves to drive down wages as well as a “Low Tax State” which only serves to place most of the tax burden on the lower and middle income people as a % of income. This is why there are so many 2 wage earner families in Oklahoma and that funding early childhood education and adequate funding of public schools are essential. Stay at home moms are fictional except to the upper income elites in Oklahoma. Brandon Dutchers of the world live in LaLa Land.

By: Patti Ferguson

Patti Ferguson — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:46:49 +0000

Mr. Dutcher seems to believe that working outside the home is a choice for Oklahoma mothers, but for many, it is an absolute necessity. When my ex-husband disappeared and refused to pay child support thirteen years ago, I had the choice of paying either daycare or my house payment. Since I had to work in order to provide health insurance for my children, I chose to continue paying daycare, had to sell my house at a loss, and was blessed to be able to move in with my parents. Many Oklahoma mothers don’t have the blessings of supportive family, college degrees, and a job that offers health insurance. These mothers must either work or rely on the government for support. For many reasons, they are not able to provide the educational enrichment for their children that many stay-at-home-by choice mothers can provide. My mother stayed home with me and my siblings and was able to share her love of reading and appetite for current events because my father was responsible and worked to provide for us. What a luxury! Why don’t we concentrate on doing everything we can to provide support for those children whose mothers don’t have that luxury and support early childhood education rather than concentrating on tax breaks for those who already have the blessing of being able to live on one income and stay home with their children.

By: Larry Bartels

Larry Bartels — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:22:03 +0000

Well Said Brandon!

By: Brandon Dutcher

Brandon Dutcher — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:57:11 +0000

Mrs. Felts is absolutely correct that in Oklahoma “we recognize and acknowledge the value of early childhood education.” Indeed, it’s safe to say Oklahoma is a national leader in this area. No, I’m not referring to Oklahoma’s much-ballyhooed efforts to put four-year-olds (or younger) in preschool daycare. I’m talking about our efforts to empower the most important early childhood educator, the kind young Becky Felts had: mom!

In 2007 the Associated Press reported on “what could be a trendsetting state tax break for families” — giving Oklahoma’s stay-at-home moms a credit on the family income-tax bill. And though this tax credit is relatively small, it’s a start. Author Bryce Christensen, author of “Divided We Fall: Family Discord and the Fracturing of America,” said Oklahoma policymakers “deserve high praise” for this trailblazing tax break. LaDonna Meinders, the 2007 Oklahoma Mother of the Year, agreed, saying “Oklahoma has taken the lead” in this area. She says the tax break, though small, is “a step in the right direction and can lead to doing something meaningful in the future. … Oklahoma can be a leader for the nation as we stand up for families, for motherhood, and for the future of our children.”

Next step? I believe “state subsidies and credits for day care should also be available to parents who care for their preschoolers full time, at home,” as authors Allan C. Carlson and Paul T. Mero recommend in their book “The Natural Family: A Manifesto.” They say “a tax credit for this purpose should be refundable to those parents without the income to claim the full credit, allowing for a reduction in means-tested government daycare subsidies.”