Oklahoma teachers continue their 110-mile march to Capitol

[RandomGuy]

"Who are your constituents and who are you listening to?"


Invigorated by cheers from passersby, donations of pizza and water, and the determination to increase education funding in their state, about 100 Oklahoma teachers on Thursday continued their 110-mile march from Tulsa to the state Capitol.

The trek is expected to take a week, including rest stops, and comes during an extraordinary statewide teacher walkout.

Since Monday, thousands of Oklahoma teachers have staged walkouts to pressure lawmakers to increase funding for their classrooms, as well as raise teacher wages.

Last week, Republican Gov. Mary Fallin signed legislation awarding Oklahoma's teachers 15 to 18 percent salary increases. But that isn't enough for the educators, who say there also needs to be an increase in funding for students, who use crumbling, outdated textbooks, sit in broken desks, and are in overcrowded classes.

Oklahoma ranks 47th out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in public school revenue per student, and its average teacher salary of $45,276 ranked 49th before the latest raises, according to the National Education Association.

...

The protests in Oklahoma were inspired by recent ones in West Virginia, another Republican state, where a nine-day strike led to a 5 percent raise for teachers.

Kentucky has also had teacher walkouts: On Monday, every public school in Kentucky closed when teachers gathered at the state Capitol to protest a pension overhaul bill that Republican lawmakers passed last week. About two dozen schools in two Kentucky counties were still closed Tuesday.

Meanwhile, in Arizona, where the average teacher pay is 43rd in the nation at about $47,000 a year, according to the National Education Association, educators are also mobilizing.

Last week, about 2,500 teachers rallied at the Arizona state Capitol demanding a 20 percent raise. On Wednesday, Arizona teachers, wearing red, held a "walk-in" where they held up protest signs and walked into their schools alongside those in the community who support their demands, reported NBC affiliate 12 News in Phoenix.

The Oklahoma teachers say they will continue their walkouts until legislators give them the increases they are seeking.


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https://www.nbcnews.com/news/education/unwavering-oklahoma-teachers-continue-their-110-mile-march-capitol-n862896

[Expert]

Good, most of them need to drop about 40lbs. They'll get better insurance rates.

Bet when they get there Donald won't be in. They'll have to march back.

[boutons_deux]

diseased asshole St Ronnie would have fired them all

[boutons_deux]

Oklahoma approves teacher pay increase but union says it's not enough, walkout still on
https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/29/us/oklahoma-arizona-teachers/index.html?sr=fbCNN033018oklahoma-arizona-teachers0921AMStoryVideo

... shows AZ, OK avg teacher salaries vs national averages

[boutons_deux]

in shit hole TX, the oligarchy/Repug/Capital War on Labor

Teachers in Other States are Striking. Texas Teachers Can't Do That.
The statute says any employees who

"strike or engage in an organized work stoppage against the state or a political subdivision of the state"

will lose all their "civil service rights, reemployment rights, and any other rights, benefits, and privileges the employee enjoys as a result of public employment or former public employment."

https://www.sacurrent.com/the-daily/archives/2018/04/06/teachers-in-other-states-are-striking-texas-teachers-cant-do-that

[Expert]

Will they lose Gay rights?

[boutons_deux]

Oklahoma authorities raid ale house for offering free beer to protesting teachers

https://www.rawstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Group-drinking-beer-Shutterstock.jpg

Officials in Oklahoma raided an ale house and confiscated two kegs of beer that were intended to be delivered as gifts to protesting teachers.

Local news station KOKH reports (https://okcfox.com/news/fox-25-investigates/state-confiscates-beer-meant-for-teachers) that the Patriarch Craft Beer House and Lawn this past weekend announced that it had prepared two kegs of beer as a gift for Oklahoma teachers protesting for greater education funding for public schools.

the Facebook post ran afoul of Oklahoma’s alcoholic beverages agency, called the ABLE Commission, which proceeded to raid the ale house and seize the kegs.

“According to the ABLE Commission the brewery had not paid a ‘brand registration fee’ for the beer that was to be given away to teachers,” reports KOKH.

“So, the ABLE officers took the donated teacher beer and issued a citation to Patriarch.”

Authorities also said it was illegal for ale houses to give away beer above a certain alcohol content under state laws,

so Patriarch had to resort to giving protesting teachers cans of “light” beer instead.

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/04/oklahoma-authorities-raid-ale-house-offering-free-beer-protesting-teachers/

Fucking puritannical, authoritarian Christian Sharia

[SpursforSix]

Oklahoma approves teacher pay increase but union says it's not enough, walkout still on


https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/29/us/oklahoma-arizona-teachers/index.html?sr=fbCNN033018oklahoma-arizona-teachers0921AMStoryVideo

... shows AZ, OK avg teacher salaries vs national averages



You need to also consider the cost of living. Oklahoma is near the bottom in cost of living. Maybe the Arizona teachers have more of a gripe. But
we'd need to see it broken down on a city by city basis.

[SpursforSix]

Oklahoma approves teacher pay increase but union says it's not enough, walkout still on


https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/29/us/oklahoma-arizona-teachers/index.html?sr=fbCNN033018oklahoma-arizona-teachers0921AMStoryVideo

... shows AZ, OK avg teacher salaries vs national averages



Public School Teacher's Annual Base Salary


Job Title
Salary
Location
Date Updated


Public School Teacher
$54,595
Avondale,AZ (https://www1.salary.com/AZ/Avondale/Public-School-Teacher-salary.html)
March 29, 2018


Public School Teacher
$53,656
Chandler,AZ (https://www1.salary.com/AZ/Chandler/Public-School-Teacher-salary.html)
March 29, 2018


Public School Teacher
$50,893
Flagstaff,AZ (https://www1.salary.com/AZ/Flagstaff/Public-School-Teacher-salary.html)
March 29, 2018


Public School Teacher
$53,656
Gilbert,AZ (https://www1.salary.com/AZ/Gilbert/Public-School-Teacher-salary.html)
March 29, 2018


Public School Teacher
$54,761
Glendale,AZ (https://www1.salary.com/AZ/Glendale/Public-School-Teacher-salary.html)
March 29, 2018


Public School Teacher
$54,430
Goodyear,AZ (https://www1.salary.com/AZ/Goodyear/Public-School-Teacher-salary.html)
March 29, 2018


Public School Teacher
$56,751
Lake Havasu City,AZ (https://www1.salary.com/AZ/Lake-Havasu-City/Public-School-Teacher-salary.html)
March 29, 2018


Public School Teacher
$53,656
Mesa,AZ (https://www1.salary.com/AZ/Mesa/Public-School-Teacher-salary.html)
March 29, 2018


Public School Teacher
$54,651
Peoria,AZ (https://www1.salary.com/AZ/Peoria/Public-School-Teacher-salary.html)
March 29, 2018


Public School Teacher
$54,761
Phoenix,AZ (https://www1.salary.com/AZ/Phoenix/Public-School-Teacher-salary.html)
March 29, 2018


Public School Teacher
$50,341
Prescott,AZ (https://www1.salary.com/AZ/Prescott/Public-School-Teacher-salary.html)
March 29, 2018


Public School Teacher
$53,656
Scottsdale,AZ (https://www1.salary.com/AZ/Scottsdale/Public-School-Teacher-salary.html)
March 29, 2018


Public School Teacher
$50,451
Sierra Vista,AZ (https://www1.salary.com/AZ/Sierra-Vista/Public-School-Teacher-salary.html)
March 29, 2018


Public School Teacher
$54,540
Sun City,AZ (https://www1.salary.com/AZ/Sun-City/Public-School-Teacher-salary.html)
March 29, 2018


Public School Teacher
$53,877
Surprise,AZ (https://www1.salary.com/AZ/Surprise/Public-School-Teacher-salary.html)
March 29, 2018


Public School Teacher
$53,656
Tempe,AZ (https://www1.salary.com/AZ/Tempe/Public-School-Teacher-salary.html)
March 29, 2018


Public School Teacher
$51,004
Tucson,AZ (https://www1.salary.com/AZ/Tucson/Public-School-Teacher-salary.html)
March 29, 2018


Public School Teacher
$56,474
Yuma,AZ (https://www1.salary.com/AZ/Yuma/Public-School-Teacher-salary.html)
March 29, 2018

[SpursforSix]

And I'm certainly not saying teachers aren't often underpaid.
Just that comparing average salaries between states isn't the best metric.

[boutons_deux]

Oklahoma schools are so broke, this first-grader'stext book was assigned to Blake Shelton—in 1982 (https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/7/1755282/-Oklahoma-schools-are-so-broke-this-student-s-textbook-was-assigned-to-Blake-Shelton-in-1982)

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/4/7/1755282/-Oklahoma-schools-are-so-broke-this-student-s-textbook-was-assigned-to-Blake-Shelton-in-1982?detail=emaildkre

All that OK oil has done "wonders" for the wealth of OK,

which is the exact opposite of what North Sea oil/Statoil has done for Norway's general welfare, the "common good".

[RandomGuy]

And I'm certainly not saying teachers aren't often underpaid.
Just that comparing average salaries between states isn't the best metric.

It is, when that labor is mobile.

Unless you are claiming that teachers wont' move around for more pay? :lol

[boutons_deux]

It is, when that labor is mobile.

Unless you are claiming that teachers wont' move around for more pay? :lol

The cost of living between, say, the top 100 US metro regions doesn't vary dramatically, like within +/- 10%

Forget about rural areas, they're dying as America continues the 100+ year urbanization/suburbanization.

btw, most teachers won't move for more pay, because moving is a relatively a huge expense for teachers, plus hubby, kids, etc complexities. Americans aren't a mobiles geographically, nor socio-economically, any more.

[Chris]

Did the herd finally make it?

[SpursforSix]

It is, when that labor is mobile.

Unless you are claiming that teachers wont' move around for more pay? :lol

I'm not even sure what point you're trying to make. Please elaborate.

And :lol at you believing that teachers are willing and/or able to move out of state for more money.

[RandomGuy]

I'm not even sure what point you're trying to make. Please elaborate.

And :lol at you believing that teachers are willing and/or able to move out of state for more money.

Teachers are doing just that from Oklahoma. Sort of the point of the OP.

[boutons_deux]

KY gov vetoed KY legislature's bill for increased school funding.

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/09/matt-bevin-vetoes-kentucky-tax-reform-and-budget-bills/498413002/

this Repug asshole Bevin is fucking up KY's very successful ACA implementation, so he adheres to Repug/oligarchy ideology that govt cannot so must not do anything for the common good.

[SpursforSix]

Teachers are doing just that from Oklahoma. Sort of the point of the OP.

:lol

You got me. At lease I hope that's the case.
I'd feel bad if you were really that retarded.

[baseline bum]

KY gov vetoed KY legislature's bill for increased school funding.

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/09/matt-bevin-vetoes-kentucky-tax-reform-and-budget-bills/498413002/

this Repug asshole Bevin is fucking up KY's very successful ACA implementation, so he adheres to Repug/oligarchy ideology that govt cannot so must not do anything for the common good.

Dems should implement single payer when they get congress and the wh back but allow the shithole states to keep their predatory health system.

[boutons_deux]

Dems should implement single payer when they get congress and the wh back but allow the shithole states to keep their predatory health system.

Dems can't do Medicare-for-all. The oligarchy makes policy, operates govt, and has corrupted the Dems as much as the Repugs

Medicare-for-all is not achievable, actually impossible, so America stays fucked and unfuckable, fleeced by medical treatments, drugs throughout their lives.

Health insurance is now well over $15K / year for a family of four.

[boutons_deux]

How tax cuts for the rich led to the Oklahoma teachers strike
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/4/9/17214924/oklahoma-teacher-strike-tax-cut-rich-charts

[sickdsm]

State and local level budget issue's would disappear overnight if Tribes anted up on property taxes and stayed competitive on gaming compacts.


Its a real issue here and i've been hearing that in low level govt. in other states (township, county, etc...)


Locally another township near mine lost about 800 acres off the tax roll last week. Another 1,500 in that township is expected to be lost in a few months. At an estimated half tillable in the township, that's 20% revenue gone within a year. Had a meeting with a state rep last week and he was fired up about it, Federal problem that needs to be addressed. Everyone elses prop taxes go up to make up the difference, no wonder its hard to come up with money to pay state employees more.

Expect more of your federal tax money to come back to repair bridges, roads, etc.


Its the law, and that's the treaty, I understand that. But its too much to expect those areas to finance the budget when the pool keeps shrinking.

[sickdsm]

Dems can't do Medicare-for-all. The oligarchy makes policy, operates govt, and has corrupted the Dems as much as the Repugs

Medicare-for-all is not achievable, actually impossible, so America stays fucked and unfuckable, fleeced by medical treatments, drugs throughout their lives.

Health insurance is now well over $15K / year for a family of four.

You lie. ACA is affordable for all. hahaha

BTW, that price would be a catastrophic type of coverage without huge subsidies. Better not go to the Dr for anything other than something very serious.

[RandomGuy]

Dems should implement single payer when they get congress and the wh back but allow the shithole states to keep their predatory health system.

That would allow them to have all the free-market nirvana (rolls eyes) they want, and see how well that works, which is provably not well.

[sickdsm]

Dems should implement single payer when they get congress and the wh back but allow the shithole states to keep their predatory health system.

What's your criteria for shithole states?

[boutons_deux]

You lie. ACA is affordable for all. hahaha


I didn't say anything about ACA is affordable for all

[boutons_deux]

Kentucky’s GOP Governor Says Teacher Protests Enable Child Sexual Assault

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/04/kentuckys-gop-governor-says-teacher-protests-enable-child-sexual-assault/

goddamn, you rightwingnutjobs elect some purely insane assholes

[boutons_deux]

Will Red-State Protests Spark Electoral Change?

After nearly a decade of Republican anti-tax “experiments,” voters appear fed up with being the guinea pigs.

When Helton started teaching high-school English 10 years ago, his biggest classes had about 20 students.

This year, they had from 30 to 35 students, with one that nearly reached 40.

And yet his classroom is designed for only 30 students.

“If everybody’s there on the same day, they’re either sitting in stand-alone chairs, or

they’re going to lean against the wall, or

they’re going to sit on the ground,” he said.

Many of the desks are already broken.

To save money, Helton’s school recently opted to use online textbooks instead of buying individual copies.

But the school doesn’t have enough computers, or

even decent Wi-Fi,

so he has to print the pages out.

Yet there’s not enough copy paper.

Helton is clear about what started the cycle:

Oklahoma’s rock-bottom education funding,

the result of tax cuts that ate into the state’s revenue.

“This is year eight of the Fallin regime,”

he noted, referring to the current Republican governor, Mary Fallin,

“and every year it’s gotten worse and worse and worse.”

https://www.thenation.com/article/will-red-state-protests-spark-electoral-change/

but abortion!

but LGBT!

fuck the kids,

fuck ourselves,

we got The BIBLE!

we got GUNS!

End Times up next