State Government Needs Your Help

News reports tell us that a revenue shortfall is likely for state government during the current fiscal year. Reduced allocations to state agencies are probable.

No word yet on what Oklahoma's taxpayers -- who have no idea what it's like to experience revenue shortfalls in their family budgets -- think of this catastrophic development. Granted, Oklahoma has 66,084 too many state and local government employees when compared to the national average, but my guess is that taxpayers -- none of whom have lost their jobs recently -- will want to do everything possible to make sure government payrolls remain intact.

Even though a tax hike is pretty much a nonstarter in Oklahoma, all is not lost: Oklahoma law allows citizens to make voluntary contributions to state government. The statute (§60-383) says that "gifts of cash or the equivalent of cash shall be made to and receipted for by the Director of State Finance." So please, write the most generous check possible and send it to the Office of State Finance, 2300 N. Lincoln Boulevard, Room 122, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105.

Together, we can make a difference.