logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinions
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinions
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
A victory for children is needed in 2024
commentary
January 31, 2024
A victory for children is needed in 2024
By Joe Dorman CEO ? OICA,

OKLAHOMA CITY – For you NFL fans out there, if you watched the late game on Sunday, you saw the Kansas City Chiefs come away with a narrow win against the Buffalo Bills. While the game was great, there was one moment that really stood out and it was not on the field.

No, I am not talking about when the camera caught Taylor Swift in a suite, but when her boyfriend’s brother, Jason Kelce, was seen celebrating a touchdown by Travis, the KC tight end. Cameras caught Jason letting out a tremendous yell, while shirtless, wearing sweatpants and a winter beanie, and holding a beverage that was not as cold as the air temperature around him.

In that moment, you saw pure, raw joy for a sibling who had a significant accomplishment.

Both brothers have had very successful careers in professional football, with both playing against each other in the Super Bowl last year. Jason plays for the Eagles in Philadelphia, “The City of Brotherly Love,” and the two host the popular podcast New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce.

It is great to see siblings celebrate each other, and much of that can be credited back to their parents. While Jason’s and Travis’ parents divorced following the college graduation of both, they are still very supportive of their children and this family story is one to celebrate. They were able to provide the tools for their children’s success.

On the eve of the Oklahoma legislative session, I am sure we will see several bills that will claim to support families. In politics, family policy is often used as an agenda wedge for one party or the other to get some short-term political benefit. Fortunately, a unifying policy was reached last week by the U.S. Congress when a temporarily child tax credit expansion won a bipartisan committee vote. It was a rare moment of compromise in a divided Congress headed into a likely toxic election year. The Biden administration issued a statement that the White House is “encouraged” and “pleased” with the committee’s vote, and hopefully it will pass Congress soon and end up on the president’s desk. It is that rare policy that is good for people who need it rather than one party or the other trying to stick it to the other. The bill, if eventually enacted into law, would increase the child tax credit incrementally for the taxable years 2023 through 2025 and adjust the credit for inflation. The amounts would increase from $1,800 in 2023 to $1,900 in 2024 and $2,000 in 2025. Under current tax law, parents can only receive up to $1,600 back per child to assist parents with single children or siblings.

Here in Oklahoma, our Legislature was called back into special session next week to address tax policy, a week before the regular session convenes. I encourage lawmakers to look to what the federal government is doing and consider an expanded tax break for Oklahomans with children.

An enhanced state tax credit for Oklahomans struggling to cover childcare costs, groceries, and other daily bills would also boost the economy through increased purchasing power for people who need help.

While I might not celebrate the same way as Jason Kelce did should the federal bill become law, or if our state lawmakers do more to support struggling families truly in need, I will certainly be very happy if better things for children happen in 2024. Please do your part to reach out to state and federal lawmakers to encourage them to provide policy victories for children this year.

Whole Hawg Days on the horizon
A: Main, news
Whole Hawg Days on the horizon
July 16, 2025
Get ready for another fun-filled weekend as the 41st Annual Whole Hawg Arts & Crafts Festival prepares to get underway, Friday and Saturday, July 25-26. The festival will consist of Arts & Crafts, a r...
A: Main, news
Eufaula Chamber of Commerce Rodeo debuts
July 16, 2025
The rodeo is woven into the fabric of Eufaula history. Long before the annual rodeo was held at the fairgrounds, there were rodeos in an area of the city now a part of the cove where there are softbal...
A: Main, news
Check with the City before starting work
July 16, 2025
As more residents and property owners take on home improvement projects, the City of Eufaula is reminding the public of a key first step: check with the City before you begin. Whether you   are buildi...
Eufaula hires full-time fire chief
A: Main, news
Eufaula hires full-time fire chief
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 16, 2025
Eufaula didn’t have to look far for its first full-time fire chief. Checotah Fire Chief Greg Carmack has been offered the job, replacing volunteer Fire Chief Chad French. The decision to hire someone ...
Checotah says goodbye to cowboy legend Bill Duvall
A: Main, news
Checotah says goodbye to cowboy legend Bill Duvall
By LaDonna Rhodes Staff Writer 
July 16, 2025
When Bill Duvall was called to meet His Maker in the Great Round Up in the sky this past Sunday, Checotah lost one of its best storytellers and legendary cowboys ever. Thankfully his legacy will live ...
A: Main, news
Hats off to those credited with keeping the roundup club and rodeo alive
By Current Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 
July 16, 2025
Serena Kleveter, director Jay Hunn, president Zach McQuay Roxanne Loyd Kathy Turner Jeanette Smith Torie Anderson Peter Lee 1940-50 Doc Thurman Doc Gawf Dub Hammett 1960-70 Glen Pittman Fred Wendel Ho...
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
A: Main, news
Commissioners pass moratorium
July 16, 2025
TransAlta of Canada announced six months ago that it no longer planned to develop a wind turbine farm in McIntosh County. However, county commissioners wanted to make sure TransAlta or any other wind ...
news
Auditions for The Dancing Princesses open to all
July 16, 2025
If you’ve ever thought acting on stage might be fun, here’s your chance to find out. The Eufaula Performing and Arts Club is opening auditions for their next play to any would-be actor ages 10 and up....
news
McIntosh County GOP News
By LYNELLE MEDLEY CHAIRMAN 
July 16, 2025
Our potluck at the last meeting was so much fun and we had a fabulous turnout -- thank you to all of McIntosh County for supporting the Republican Party. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. It w...
news
Man facing obscenity charges
July 16, 2025
Ryan Troy Dick, 52-year-old Sallisaw resident, is being held in the McIntosh County Jail pending his preliminary hearing on charges related to indecent photographs and videos sent to a former girlfrie...
news
Juvenile dies following accident near Longtown
July 16, 2025
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that a juvenile, whose name and age are being withheld, was fatally injured in a single-vehicle accident that took place at about 10:30 p.m. on July 4. The deceased...
Facebook

THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL
100 N. 2nd Street
Eufaula, OK 74432

(918) 689-2191

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy