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
Honoring Oklahoma’s Veterans
commentary
April 10, 2024
Honoring Oklahoma’s Veterans

We’ve had an eventful few weeks at the Capitol. Last week, the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate held a joint session to honor Veterans Awareness Day. Oklahoma takes pride in its military and veteran presence, with over 286,000 veterans making up 8.7% of its population.

Oklahoma’s five military installations, which train servicemembers and manufacture equipment, are crucial to national security. These bases also significantly impact the state, providing employment to over 133,000 people and creating thousands of private-sector jobs. Additionally, these installations have generated millions of dollars in investments.

A state like Oklahoma prides itself on offering veterans a chance to thrive. In Oklahoma, veterans experience a lower unemployment rate (4%) than the state’s (5%). Additionally, veterans in Oklahoma earn a higher median household income than the average household in the state, making an average of $9,000 more annually.

We should support and appreciate our troops, regardless of political beliefs, by taking concrete action to ensure their safe return while encouraging their families at home.

Recently, the Governor signed Senate Bill 1215 into law. It helps disabled veterans in Oklahoma who were at risk of losing their sales tax exemption status. The law removes the deadline for disabled veterans to register on the veteran’s registry, originally set for November 1, 2023.

Some veterans and surviving spouses previously denied by the Oklahoma Tax Commission will automatically receive new cards. If veterans or surviving spouses submitted registry verification letters to the Oklahoma Tax Commission but were unable to receive new Exemption Cards due to missing the registration deadline of July 1, 2023, or if they filed a protest or requested a hearing in response to the denial letter for new Exemption Cards, no further action is required.

To register with the Oklahoma Veterans Registry, individuals can visit registry.odva. ok.gov/registration. If you are a veteran or a surviving spouse and have any questions regarding this registration, please do not hesitate to contact my office. We will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

This past week, we continued hearing bills in committee. I am currently authoring two Senate bills, Senate Bill 1520 and Senate Bill 2001, which are waiting to be heard in their respective committees. I will keep everyone informed about any updates regarding this legislation in the upcoming weeks.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any concerns at 405-557-7302 or neil. hays@okhouse.gov.

Rep. Neil Hays, a Republican, serves District 13 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which covers McIntosh, Muskogee and Wagoner County.

mailto:hays@okhouse.gov

School Board Association honors Pippenger, Madewell
A: Main, news
School Board Association honors Pippenger, Madewell
September 17, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY - Eufaula School Board President Jeff Pippenger and Checotah School Superintendent Monte Madewell were honored for their contribution to education during the annual Education Leadership ...
A: Main, news
Brace yourself for traffic disruptions
September 17, 2025
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation will begin its long-awaited street project on Main Street (SH 9) in downtown Eufaula next week. An ODOT spokesman said traffic control will begin Monday, Sept...
A: Main, news
McIntosh is Candidate for 2025 Miss Indian Oklahoma
September 17, 2025
Miss Janaya McIntosh of Eufaula is a candidate for the upcoming 2025 Miss Indian Oklahoma pageant. The Oklahoma Federation of Indian Women (OFIW) pageants offer young Native American women a chance to...
A: Main, news
Ford holding food drive
September 17, 2025
Ford dealers around the world are joining together to conduct the World’s Largest Ford Dealer Food Drive, now through Sept. 25. The local dealership where you may drop off food is Sam Wampler’s Freedo...
A: Main, news
LEA 2025 Golf Tournament Sept. 26
September 17, 2025
The 2025 Lake Eufaula Association Golf Tournament is just a week away, to be held Friday Sept. 26 at Arrowhead Golf Course, 3657 Main Park Rd., Canadian. Registration is at 8 a.m., shotgun start is at...
A: Main, news
POW/MIA Ceremony is Friday
September 17, 2025
On Friday, Sept. 19 the VFW Post 8798 Auxiliary will host a dinner in honor of soldiers who have not returned home from battle. The event will begin at 6 p.m. in the Post dining room on SH 9 east.
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
A: Main, news
Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk this Saturday
September 17, 2025
Don’t miss the Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk this Saturday, September 20. Come walk and show your support as locals bring awareness to suicide and how you can prevent it. “Being able to see the wa...
A: Main, news
Flag exchange drive
September 17, 2025
VFW Auxiliary 8798 would like to help you properly dispose of your worn out flags. We will exchange your worn 3x5 United States American Flag for a brand new one. Dates will be shared over the upcomin...
A: Main, news
Tribal Town Spelling Bee Sept. 27
September 17, 2025
The Eufaula-Canadian Tribal Town and the MCN Language Preservation Program will host the 10th annual Mvskoke Language Spelling Bee Competition on Sept. 27 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Eufaula Indian Co...
A: Main, news
Suspect awaits sanity decision in Minner case
By MICHAEL BARNES 
September 17, 2025
When a June 10 headline shook the community—Selby Minner, beloved blues musician and cultural icon, found dead—the shock reverberated through Rentiesville and far beyond. The one arrested for her murd...
Oklahoma Farm Bureau hosts 4th Annual Capitol Camp
news
Oklahoma Farm Bureau hosts 4th Annual Capitol Camp
By LaDonna Rhodes Staff Writer 
September 17, 2025
117 FFA and 4-H students from across the state convened at the Oklahoma State Capitol for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 4th Annual Capitol Camp held Sept. 3 – 4. The camp was an immersive twoday experien...
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