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District 11 House Representative Darrel Fincher spoke at a town hall meeting Thursday night. The meeting was held in the second floor conference room of the Bartlesville Public Library. The town hall meeting gave Fincher the opportunity to speak to and hear from constituents. One of several topics in the meeting was public education and Fincher talked about House Bill 2621.

House Bill 2621 would greatly increase tax credits allowed under the Equal Opportunity Scholarship Fund, thereby reducing revenues to the General Fund. That includes tax dollars that otherwise would go toward education and other critical needs.

Fincher said he found a problem with HB 2621 in that there was a promise of savings because they take kids out of the systems so instead of supporting them in the public schools and they will be done by the private schools. He said the numbers being offered were bogus. Through further research, Fincher said if 30-percent out public school students left for private school, it would be a break even propostion.

Fincher said Thursday that there are other bills playing in the background. One bill Fincher has signed on to that calls for more accountability reporting. That includes questions like: 'what is a co-pay?', 'Where does it go?', 'How much is it?', 'What is a free and reduced lunch?', etc.

Representative Fincher said you can always contact him with questions or concerns regarding legislation. You call his office number 405.557.7358or you can write him. As always, Fincher asks that you include your address so he can figure out if you live within his district. He serves District 11. To listen to Thursday's town hall meeting in full, click here.