Most of us should agree to defer tax cuts
I am in almost complete agreement with Gary Greene’s opinion essay (Jan. 5). His analysis of Oklahoma’s tax liability environment and implications seems both accurate and pertinent. Like Greene, I am not personally acquainted with any of Oklahoma’s wealthiest citizens. And even more pressing, I agree with him that our state has so many public financing needs that are going unfulfilled. These public needs are more needed than the tax reduction benefits that likely will go only to a select and well connected few Oklahomans.
But I do disagree with Gary Greene in one respect. He could well have addressed this thoughtful essay to an audience other than the Harold Hamms and George Kaisers of Oklahoma. He could well have profitably written to the Jerry Stephenses, and all the others like me, who are relatively more comfortable in what we possess than are too many in Oklahoma. He could have addressed the Oklahomans, who like me, may only modestly benefit from any contemplated state tax reduction proposals. It is, after all, the Jerry Stephenses of this state who do have more comfortable lives yet who are also in a position to benefit from the investment in the public resources that will benefit all Oklahomans. I can think of many examples. But only one may be necessary.
My children are all college graduates; and now my granddaughters have all graduated from the state’s public schools. There is no one in my immediate family attending any public school today. I do continue, however, to support public education in Oklahoma. I feel just as strongly that a significant share of my tax dollars should fund public education in our state. My retirement life in Oklahoma is measurably enhanced by all the educated young people around me. Yes, Gary Greene is right. But there are many Oklahomans who should be paying attention to the very cautionary words he addressed to all of us.
― Jerry Edward Stephens, Edmond
Oklahoma needs a better database for homeless shelters
A story by Jessie Christopher Smith on Oklahoma City’s 2024 “Point in Time” count of the homeless reported that homelessness in Oklahoma has made a 28% increase when compared to 2023. The number of homeless people who are sleeping outside in OKC is continuing to increase to almost 60% in 2023. The author mentions excellent key points such as lack of affordable housing, generational trauma, and lack of resources. While the city is slowly gaining resources and making small improvements, it has not kept up with the amount of houseless people growing each year.
The people of Oklahoma, specifically larger population cities such as Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Norman would greatly benefit from an external database that provides information about every available homeless shelter resource in one place. While working in the social work field, clients often receive different lists of shelters from different agencies, who had long waitlists, were closed, not updated, or often had no room. Due to this, an individual who is homeless may only have one chance every night to find a bed to sleep in, and even then, it is a gamble. 211 is a familiar resource to the population of Oklahoma, but it is extremely outdated and is not current. The current system in place to guide the homelessness population is not set up to sustain the amount of people who need the support and not efficient. Having an updated database would be an extremely beneficial factor for both sides of the social problem.
― Lanie Hinkle, Oklahoma City
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Readers comment on tax cuts, landline service, toll roads | Letters