Every now and then, an issue comes along that has me sharing a common opinion with hardcore Republicans.
Sometimes, it’s positive and encouraging – like when Kevin Stitt called to reform Oklahoma’s civil asset forfeiture laws – whereas other times it has me questioning my own senses and sanity.
For example, over the past decade or so, I’ve been softly beating a drum that maybe, just maybe, we should open up TSET money for things that fall outside its original, constitutionally mandated mission of improving the health and quality of life of Oklahomans.
This isn’t because TSET sucks, is bad, or failed to deliver. It’s because the organization has done such a good job over the past 25 years implementing public health initiatives, helping reduce smoking rates, and – most importantly – growing a massive endowment in the stock market that it’s probably fair to at least ask – in a totally calm, rational, not-at-all-deranged way – whether some of its $2 billion endowment could be repurposed to help the state in other ways.
Terrifyingly, it looks like Republicans at the Capitol agree with me.
Last week, NonDoc took a look at a House effort to put a state question on the ballot that, if passed, would shift a large chunk of annual TSET earnings from public health initiatives to funding college scholarships.
Basically, instead of using TSET money to rent billboards encouraging people to drink water and eat vegetables, it would use that money to send lower-income Oklahomans to college, where they will hopefully learn to drink water and eat vegetables.
Officially known as House Joint Resolution 1077 (HJR 1077), it passed the House by a 71 to 20 margin, and if it also sails through the Senate, will give Oklahomans another chance to raid TSET.
Here are some details via Yawn Doc:
Since it was approved by voters in 2000, the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust has sought to improve “the health and quality of life” of Oklahomans. Now, after a high-profile dispute over a request to fund a hospital last legislative session, a leading House member wants a “TSET reset” that would move the mission of the $2 billion fund toward expanding access to higher education.
“We’re the only state that still has our corpus (from the 1998 tobacco company Master Settlement Agreement) and has grown it,” said House Appropriations and Budget Committee Chairman Trey Caldwell (R-Lawton). “But how do we get more bang out of the buck? That’s where the ‘TSET reset’ comes in, which is the endeavor that would, within the next 10 years, mean every single kid in the state of Oklahoma, if they want, can either go to college for free, vo-tech for free or (have) an apprenticeship.”
Hey, I know Trey Caldwell is a shill for the tobacco industry, and his motives for introducing this measure probably have more to do with weakening TSET’s public health mission than expanding access to higher education, but it's actually not a bad idea.
I mean, after 25+ years, it is probably time to rethink and reprioritize how TSET funds are spent, and sending more Oklahomans to college seems like as good a cause as any.
Plus, not only could it expand access to higher education and ease the financial burden on families, but a better-educated society is generally a more health-conscious one. Everyone’s happy, right?
Well, not exactly.
According to the people who currently receive TSET money for public health initiatives, raiding the TSET coffers to fund public education is a bad idea:
Others worry Oklahoma’s public health efforts and local initiatives will be dramatically reduced under Caldwell’s proposal. TSET itself has been advertising on social media about its impact, driving more than 300,000 views each to 15-second videos about a sidewalk project in McAlester, a walking loop in Pryor, and a playground in Tishomingo.
“TSET was established by Oklahoma voters with a mission to invest in projects and initiatives that improve (the) health of our state,” said Thomas Larson, TSET director of public information. “TSET has diligently carried out the mission for over 25 years, including the recently announced $150 million in TSET Legacy Grants — the largest health initiative of its kind in state history.”
Each year, TSET distributes tens of millions of dollars in grant and contract funding to schools, nonprofits, research projects, and advertising campaigns aimed at advancing public health. While advertising contracts promote healthy habits like quitting tobacco use and drinking more water, grant funds typically reimburse local agencies and communities for health-related projects after their completion.
Listen. If you were to put a cigarette to my head and ask if TSET money would be better spent on walking loops, playgrounds, and billboards reminding people to drink water, or sending lower-income kids to college, I’d probably ask for a light and say both.
Once again, in a sign I may need professional help, conservative lawmakers seem to agree with me.
In addition to calling for TSET money to be reallocated, they’re pushing for a companion bill that would issue grants to entities currently getting TSET cash:
Caldwell is also running HB 4003 as a companion measure that would only take effect if HJR 1077 is approved by voters.
In addition to eliminating statutory references to TSET’s board of directors, HB 4003 would create the “TSET Legacy Effort Revolving Fund,” which would provide the State Department of Health funds — perhaps $25 million, Caldwell suggested — to continue health initiatives currently funded by TSET. (It would also allow up to 10 percent of the value of the TSET trust fund to be invested in venture capital opportunities.)
For a second, let’s ignore the red flag that would allow TSET to invest in high-risk venture capital opportunities that would probably just go to local groups in search of lucrative management fees. This stuff was written by Republicans, so any piece of legislation has to throw a bone to the ruling class.
That being said, the rest of Caldwell’s proposal actually seems… logical and fair.
You’re telling me we can set aside $25 million to give to vanity public health projects and “Don’t Forget To Eat Your Vegetables” advertisements, and then use the TSET money to do greater good and send kids to college? Where do we sign? That sounds like a decent idea, which, once again, begs the question…
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!
Seriously, is there some sort of conservative disease overtaking my body? First you agree with them on TSET funds, then you start calling for school vouchers, tax breaks for the rich, and other irrationalities? Or is this a rare instance of a bipartisan broken clock overlap, where a generally good idea just happens to be coming from people you don’t fully trust to implement it?
Anyway, now that it’s sailed through the House, the measure likely awaits a vote in the Senate. If it passes there, it could soon put us in the uncomfortable position of having to vote for what appears to be a relatively well-intentioned idea… or wonder if we’re losing our minds.
Until then, stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
