May 21, 2019 Issue, Page 4 of 20

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Oklahoma state budget hits priorities The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City Gov. Kevin Stitt and Republican legislative leaders have produced an $8.3 billion budget that may not be perfect, but ithelps teachers, state employees and correctional workers, shores up some state agencies, hits on some ofthe gover- nor’s priorities and sets the Legislature up for an on-time adjournment. The sum is a record amount, and includes about halfa billion dollars in new spending. Stitt, House Speaker Charles McCall and Senate leader Greg Treat vowed that teacher pay would be a priority again this year, and it was. The budget plan includes across- the-board pay raises averaging $1,220 -- meaning teachers have seen their pay increased by about $7,300 the past two years. The budget includes $74 million more for the school fund- ing formula. The head of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association noted that public school funding will have increased by $638 million in two years. “That’s an extraor- Consumers pay in tariff war dinary accomplishment,” he said, and he’s right. This budget also includes $28 million for higher ed and The Oklahoman, Oklahoma their products and help keep -- amove that would es- as they would impact such $18 million for career and technical education. them affordable for consum- sentially impact all Chinese things as iPhones, laptops and ‘The budget includes $2-per-hour pay raises for correc- ers. Tariffs adversely impact imports. clothing. In remarks last week those relationships. And, pinch U.S. consumers. “The U.S. has tried to keep tional workers, which may help to slow the high turnover defending his useof tariffs David French, a senior of- ‘Among the items affected those items free from fresh rate in that profession, and it includes pay raises of up to to drive U.S. trade policy, ficial with the National Retail by the new tariffs: electronic tariffs to avoid a consumer $1,400 for other state workers. President Trump said, “I’m Federation, put it simply after circuit boards, computer backlash that could under- different than a lot of people.” ‘Trump imposed higher tariffs chips, luggage, handbags, ‘The budget fully funds the Department of Transporta- Isn’t that the truth? on Chinese imports last Fri- sporting goods, toilet paper, mine the U.S. trade effort,” tion’s eight-year plan, has money for mental health and Trump sees tariffs as day: “To be clear, tariffs are cosmetics, honey, fruits, air the Journal wrote. diversion programs, places $19 million in a fund to help beneficial to the United States taxes paid by businesses and conditioners, carpets and But now that move appears and tools designed to not only consumers, not by China.” textiles. “All told, over 5,000 likely, with consumers and the governor close deals with out-of-state businesses, and draw concessions from the The administration, different items are subject to producers the ones getting designates nearly $63 million for a program that increases countries whose products are concerned about China the tariffs,” The Wall Street bit asa result. China, as ithas physician training in rural hospitals. impacted, but to spur U.S. potentially trying to wriggle Journal noted. previously, retaliated this companies to handle more of out of a trade agreement the Itnoted that the bump to week with additional tariffs of Yet this deal isn’t nearly good enough for some on the their work domestically. As two countries are seeking, 25% isn’t likely to be felt im- its own on U.S. goods entering other side of the aisle. The head of the Oklahoma Policy In- he said in a tweet, “Build your increased to 25% its tariffs mediately, because the items that country. stitute bemoaned the decision to place $200 million more in products in the United States on Chinese imports totaling were already subject to the “{ happen to think the tar- and there are NO TARIFFS!” roughly $200 billion. The 10% tariff and many compa- ifs for our country are very the Rainy Day Fund, calling it “misguided while Oklahoma That view is romantic, but tariffs had been at 10% for the nies have planned for the tar- continues to leave so many urgent needs underfunded.” it’s unrealistic in this global past several months. iff increase in their forecasts. powerful,” the president said economy. The reality is that Trump also said the United However, adding the 25% last week. No doubt millions Similarly, the House minority leader said, “This is what U.S. companies of all kinds States was considering plac- tariffs to the additional $325 of Americans, including many a budget looks like when you decide taxpayer money is use parts and labor from ing 25% tariffs on another billion of products “would fall who voted for him, don’t view better suited to sit in a bank than be invested back into state around the world to build $325 billion in Chinese goods very heavily on consumers,” them nearly as positively. resources like our children, state employees, and middle and low wage workers.” Our guess is she doesn’t spend her entire paycheck each week. But government should burn through every dime taxpayers remit? The University of Oklahoma is in No, Stitt and Republican leaders did the right thing by setting some aside. Recall that last year, lawmakers started serious need of leadership stability with more to spend than they had the prior year, passed about $600 million in tax increases and then spent all they Enid News & Eagle, Okla. Gallogly, a corporate Gallogly fired six administra- “Unfortunately, a false nar- businessman, was hired last tors on first working day in rative has been created that were legally allowed, And as noted earlier: This year’s bud- While Oklahomans were spring as a change agent office, and he terminated 50 the explanation of the uni- get is the largest in state history, by far. preparing to see who survived following the departure of staff positions in November. versity’s financial condition, McCall, R-Atoka, said in a January interview, “We can “Game of Thrones” Sunday longtime President David L. ‘Then 28 employee reductions the disclosures of improper night, some other palace Boren. Introducing Gallogly were announced last Febru- gift reporting, and changes to make investments and set money aside.” That they followed intrigue rocked the Sooner last March, then OU Board of State before the opening cred- Regents Chair Clay Bennett In December, Norman various people serving in the through is encouraging. Agencies are a little healthier as the administration were some- result of this budget plan, and the state is better equipped its rolled. called him “a world-class, campus faculty received a 1.5 how intended to diminish the Providing a speed bump to in-demand transformative percent to 6 percent salary to handle the next economic downturn without having to the Sooner Schooner, the Uni- leader.” increase, OU also scaled back legacy ofour past president,” turn to cuts or tax increases. On the whole, not a bad result. versity of Oklahoma abruptly ‘There could be only one its National Merit Scholars Gallogly said in a released gone.” Wejoin the chorus of Oklahomans in offering our announced President James king in OU’s zero-sum game. program. statement. “That false nar- Gallogly would be retiring Gallogly bucked the status Gallogly’s support from the rative is now also being used congratulations and best after less than a year in the quo, pledging to get the uni- board of regents was tested to question the motives and high-profile position. versity’s fiscal house in order. after Bennett, a key ally, propriety of the ongoing Our presidential succession Boren responded to Gallo- resigned in January due to investigation of alleged mis- Have a letter to has turned into season 3 of Game of Thrones. I’m back- gly’s criticism with a pub- lished letter that contradicted health reasons. After months ofdisruption, Gallogly needed conduct by person(s) yet to be disclosed by the university.” the editor? Email ing The Dean In The North him. Following the publica- to pivot into a forward-think- ‘The spin from Sunday’s an- Campus. tion of that letter on June ing leadership role. nouncement said the regents Meanwhile, Boren was it to editor@ -- Associate Deans (@ ass_deans) May 8, 2019 20, The Norman Transcript reported that Gallogly told a embroiled in an ongoing and outgoing Gallogly will work together for a smooth The “Associate Deans” senior OU administrator to personnel investigation over ecdailynews.com ‘Twitter account won the Internet that night with deliver a message to Boren: “You tell him that I am the allegations of sexual miscon- duct. transition. Amid all this tur- moil, OU is in serious need of or stop by 206 W. this witty prediction: “Our presidential succession has meanest son of a bitch he has ever seen, and ifhe ever Only two days after Gal- logly’s first commencement some stability. Before the right long-term ceremony as president, Gal- Broadway, Elk City. turned into season 3 of Game of Thrones. I’m backing The crosses me again, I will de- stroy him.” logly announced his pending leader is selected, an interim president needs to be named. Dean In The North Campus.” Hired as a change agent, departure. ‘The Sooner, the better.