08/20/2026
Vote NO on state question 844!
KNOW BEFORE YOU VOTE!
All registered voters will vote for two state questions on August 25th, one of those directly ties to public schools and communities.
State Question 844:
This state question proposes a change to the Oklahoma Constitution.
Currently, when the state grants 5 year tax exemptions to manufacturing companies, it is constitutionally required to pay local governments and public services back for the property tax revenue they lose as a result.
✅What a "YES" vote means:
Voting YES would remove that requirement, meaning the state would no longer be legally obligated by the constitution to reimburse local entities (such as public schools, county services, and local districts) for those lost tax dollars. There is currently no plan in place for what happens next to schools if the requirement is eliminated.
❌What a "NO" vote means:
Voting NO keeps the current constitutional rule in place, requiring the state to continue fully reimbursing local governments for revenue lost to manufacturing tax exemptions.
🏫Currently, Owasso Public Schools receives about $2.5 million in annual property tax reimbursements.
If reimbursement funding is reduced or payments are suspended, schools would experience decreased funds in the general fund, building fund, and shrinking fund.
This could lead to.......
✂️Cuts in funding for student programs, athletics
✂️Cuts to teacher/staff salaries
✂️Cuts to funding for school operations, building maintenance, debt/bond payments
✂️ Increases in property taxes to meet existing bond obligations
A NO vote will protect what our underfunded schools are already owed and keep the Legislature from making more cuts to education funding.
