7.05.06
Letter from OEA President Roy Bishop to OEA Members
Dear Member,
On June 13, 2006, the Oklahoma Education Association
Fund for Children and Public Education (OEA FCPE)
Committee voted to recommend Senator Cal Hobson
for election to the office of Lieutenant Governor.
Senator Hobson was chosen from among many top-quality
candidates in the 2006 primary.
As many of you know, Senator Hobson has consistently
been the voice of education in the state Senate.
He has never been afraid to stand up against legislation
which would have been harmful to our teachers,
students or education system. Conversely, he was
instrumental in guaranteeing that every teacher
will receive a $3,000 pay increase for the 2006-07
school year - no strings attached!
Most recently, Sen. Hobson debated against a bill
during the final hour of the regular legislative
session that if passed, would have greatly harmed
funding for both common schools and higher education.
HB 2179 would redirect permanent funds from the
Oklahoma Commission for the Land Office from education.
Sen. Hobson stated during his floor debate that
it was equivalent to "moving around the deck
chairs on the Titanic" and would take away
funds from education that could not be returned.
He also worked to prevent passage of a similar
measure in the just completed special legislative
session.
Hobson served as President Pro Tempore of the
Senate and worked to garner support for 100 percent
state-paid individual teacher health insurance
premiums. Also, he helped pass the Governor's
five-year plan to bring teachers' salaries to
the regional average and worked tirelessly during
the economic downturn to ensure that education
did not bear the brunt of the crisis.
His tenure in the legislature has a direct impact
on his knowledge of the state's legislative history.
If elected, he will be the only elected official
at the State Capitol with legislative knowledge
prior to 1994. We need someone in the lieutenant
governor's office who can demonstrate the leadership
and skill to further enhance Oklahoma's education
system. Sen. Hobson has demonstrated his ability
to stand up and let the voice of education be
heard.
The primary election on Tuesday, July 25,
2006, will be an opportunity to show your support
for education by casting your vote for Cal Hobson
for Lt. Governor.
Sincerely,
Roy Bishop
OEA President
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