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| Children continue to absorb oil assets for frivolous desires |
By Raymond Gary,
Partisan Staff Reporter
In the past two years, oil has
surged past children as Oklahoma's
most precious natural
resource, an industry analyst said
last week.
Gordon McLain, speaking at
a luncheon for energy executives
and state lawmakers, said aggressive
incentives for oil and gas companies
would prove far more profitable
than spending money on the
state's children.
"In the next three to five years, oil will continue to move to $60 or $70 a barrel. At the same time, we see the market for children continuing to decline,"
said
McLain.
"Given the state's limited budget, it would generate more wealth to invest in oil, rather than spending the time and money it takes to make the average child profitable."
In recent weeks, energy and
education forces have squared off
over House Bill 1715, which
exempts certain oil and gas related
equipment from ad valorem taxes
at the expense of state schools.
Rep. Kevin Calvey, the measure's
author, said McLain's presentation
showed the
need for the
state to stop
putting our
children
ahead of big
energy companies.
"Devon has seen billions in profit over the past three years. In the same time span, the average child has barely learned to speak or walk upright. Which do you think is more profitable?"
said Calvey, R-Del City.
Faced with McLain's charts
and graphs, even skeptical lawmakers
conceded that children
were a nearly worthless natural
resource.
After speaking with
McClain, Gov. Brad Henry
announced he would no longer
seeking funding for all-day kindergarten.
"Lottery tickets are a better
deal," said Henry.
Supporters of the state's
struggling child industry say the
market could be improved
through decreased government
regulation. Currently, child production
and storage is governed
by extensive feed, abuse and neglect
laws that eat into profit margins.
Child officials are calling for
increased funding for production,
as well as the abolition of treatment
standards, which they say
will allow the child labor industry
to compete with oil and gas companies.
"Children are our most precious
natural resource," said advocates.
"Until you run out of gas,"
replied McLain.