Almost $400,000 of the $4.3 million total was in the form of Stand for Children staff time.

Opponents of the sales tax, who have become more visible in recent weeks, did not register with the Ethics Commission until after the Oct. 1 deadline, which means they do not have to file financial reports until Jan. 31.

“My contribution to the Yes 779 campaign is because of my passionate belief that we must stop shortchanging our children and young people in their educational opportunities,” Boren said. “I am very gratified that many others share that strong conviction.

“Having watched Oklahoma politics for over 50 years, I believe this is the single most important issue to come to a vote of the people during that time. Oklahoma’s future is literally at stake.”

Forces for and against SQ 779 and three other state questions are on track to raise and spend as much money if not more than all legislative candidates combined, according to the Ethics Commission reports.

Those reports showed more than $12 million in contributions to political action committees supporting or opposing state questions 777, 779, 780 and 792.

Of that, almost $8 million has been spent.