Below is an email exchange that was a call for help from State Rep. James Lockhart (D) – Heavener who requested help from his colleagues at the Oklahoma State Capitol, but was greeted with an extremely anti-education response from Rep. Mike Reynolds (R) – Oklahoma City.

—–Original Message—–
From: James Lockhart
Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2013 6:18 PM
To: Mike Reynolds
Subject: Re: Our brightest students…..

No but we sure give out tax credits to a lot of companies that I question whether or not they actually need them. Over 5 billion each year!

What we are seeing is the first generation of Americans who will earn less than the previous, be less educated, earn less and have less access to healthcare.

Basically we are doing a poor job of improving the lives of the people we represent. That is pretty clear in the fact that most people think we either don’t care about them or are unable to do something about improving their standard of living.

I am here to try to improve the quality of life of the average person in however small a way possible.

I would suggest you do the same

James Lockhart

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 2, 2013, at 6:08 PM, “Mike Reynolds” wrote:

> Rep Lockhart,
>
> It is not our job to see that anyone gets an education. It is not the responsibility of me, you, or any constituent in my district to pay for his or any other persons education. Their GPA, ACT ASAB, determination have nothing to do with who is responsible. Their potential to benefit society is irrelevant.
>
> Rep Reynolds
>
> ________________________________________
> From: James Lockhart
> Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2013 5:40 PM
> To: democratlegislators@hs1.lsb.state.ok.us; Democratic Legislators; Republican Legislators
> Subject: Our brightest students…..
>
> Members,
>
> This is a text I just received. My question is how do we help these people?
>
>
> Here is the text message ……
>
>
> Hey there… You know that one post on Facebook, about the Oklahoma Promise and students getting financial aid?
>
> Well, we just found out that Austin also doesn’t qualify for Pell Grants! He filled out the FASFA, and that was the official results. So, he’s got a 4.39 GPA, 32 ACT, 98 ASVAB, loves schooling, wants to pursue a doctored degree… And can’t get any assistance!
>
> I suppose if none of us tried, and he was just going to school to goof off, he’d be considered “at risk” and get higher education paid for, right?
>
> James, you know us… We don’t make that kind of money, to pay for him to go to college. He’s gotten only a few scholarships, and those were straight from OU, and they can just write that stuff off, but it’s only a very small portion of the total bill.
>
> Anyhow, I guess I’m just venting to you because you had posted something about it last week.
> Thanks for listening to me vent.
>
>
> Members,
>
> How do we guarantee that students like Austin, who is clearly very much a top student, get an education?
>
> These are the ones that will cure cancer, create the next big invention or possibly become a great leader. How do we help these students?
>
> It’s OUR JOB to see this kid get an education. We want our best and brightest to receive an education that lets them reach their full potential.
>
> We are failing him.
>
> Thank you members for listening to me vent!!
>
> James Lockhart
>
> Sent from my iPhone