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For the Children ‘Children’s Legislators of the Year’ exemplify service to Oklahoma’s youngest residents
commentary
June 12, 2024
For the Children ‘Children’s Legislators of the Year’ exemplify service to Oklahoma’s youngest residents
By JOE DORMAN OICA CEO,

OKLAHOMA CITY – Each year, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) works with lawmakers to pursue policies which will benefit youth. Following every session, we select “Children’s Legislators of the Year” who did tremendous work for youth, along with retiring lawmakers who have had a distinguished career in working on youth issues. I will recognize those retirees in my column next week to honor space allowed for my weekly column.

In the Senate, our board chose Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa; Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City; and Sen. Jo-Anna Dossett, D-Tulsa as the Children’s Senators of the Year.

OICA’s honorees as Children’s Representatives of the Year are Rep. John Talley, R-Stillwater; Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-OKC; and Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, for their work on legislative issues. Senator Rader and Representative Talley worked to advance legislation which would have prevented school employees from the deliberate infliction of physical pain by hitting, paddling, spanking, slapping or any other physical force used as a means of discipline for certain categories of special needs students, a practice still allowed in dozens of school districts around the state. The legislation in no way impacts parental actions, but simply prevents a government employee from striking children who often are not capable of understanding why they are being hit.

Representative Bennett and Senator Stanley authored The Hope Shaffer Act, a new law which will require parents of students in commercial driver’s education vehicles to sign a waiver of understanding that a student driver will be operating a vehicle with their child in the backseat while in operation. Hope was a young Oklahoman who died in a car crash while in the back seat of such a vehicle. We appreciate these two lawmakers for their work, as do the parents of Hope who worked tirelessly at the State Capitol to see this pass.

Senator Dossett has been working to improve access to maternity and parental leave for Oklahoma parents of newborns, along with championing many public education efforts. Senator Dossett also worked with Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, to pass a law which adjusts the membership of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee and directs birthing centers report certain information related to maternal deaths, critical information needed when conducting investigations.

Representative Boatman has been the most solid leader working on mental health issues in the state Legislature. He is a true “compassionate conservative” in balancing budgets while providing much needed resources for Oklahomans struggling with mental health issues which lead often to homelessness, suicide, and incarceration. By addressing this epidemic through his legislative work, Representative Boatman has helped improve conditions which will soon see better results thanks to his work.

In a few days, we should have our annual legislative report card finalized for review on our website. You can go to https://www.oica. org to see how your senator and representatives rated in the bills which OICA graded. While OICA cannot endorse candidates in elections due to our nonprofit status, this scorecard is not for election purposes, but simply informative so you will know which positive and negative actions were taken in the 2024 legislative session by policymakers as determined by our Advocacy Committee.

In closing, I want to remind Oklahomans that the Primary Election Day is on Tuesday, June 18th and it is important to exercise this most important of rights given to Americans. You can vote at your county election board this weekend or at your polling place on Tuesday.

Please vote in an informed manner and elect leaders who will serve in the best interest of Oklahoma’s children.

Braving the festival, honoring a friend
A: Main, news
Braving the festival, honoring a friend
By LENORE BECHTEL 
September 3, 2025
Every Labor Day weekend since moving to Oklahoma, I thought about going to the Dusk to Dawn Blues Festival. But the idea of a yard party running from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. was intimidating—and I could neve...
A: Main, news
Man injured diving into shallow water
September 3, 2025
A 22-year-old Yukon man was injured when he dove from a pontoon boat into shallow water at Lake Eufaula, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Patrick Tanner reportedly stopped his vessel to swim ...
A: Main, news
Man found dead in yard; possible suspect investigated
September 3, 2025
WARNER – Warner Police responded to a call early Saturday morning about a dead man laying outside of a residence in the area of Fifth and Third streets. The deceased has been identified as 51-year-old...
A: Main, news
Wellness Day for seniors Sept. 16
September 3, 2025
Heritage Home Care’s fifth annual Senior Wellness Day will be held Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 126 N. 1st St. (now Bridges Street), which is the former location of Family Dollar. The e...
A: Main, news
Looking ahead: Firm to help guide the way
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 3, 2025
What will Eufaula look like in 50 years? Without a plan, it’s anybody’s guess. But the City Council has taken steps to remove at least some of the guesswork. At a special meeting Friday, Aug. 29, the ...
Wine and Art Festival extravaganza Saturday
A: Main, news
Wine and Art Festival extravaganza Saturday
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 3, 2025
What: Vision Eufaula Wine & Art Festival When: Saturday Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Where: 150 N. Front St. Information: 405-248-2992 or visit visioneufaula.org The fourth annual Wine and Art Festival ...
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5 in race for state school superintendent
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5 in race for state school superintendent
By Jennifer Palmer Oklahoma Watch 
September 3, 2025
So far, five candidates are running to lead Oklahoma’s public education system as state superintendent in 2026. Former Tulsa school board members Jennettie Marshall, a Democrat, and Jerry Griffin, an ...
DOC Director stepping down
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DOC Director stepping down
By KEATON ROSS OKLAHOMA WATCH 
September 3, 2025
Oklahoma Department of Corrections Director Steven Harpe, one of the highest paid officials in state government, will step down on Sept. 30 to take a private sector job. “I’m extremely proud of my tim...
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Class of ’65 reunion set for Sept. 12
September 3, 2025
Graduates of the Eufaula High School Class of 1965 will get together from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept 12, at the Legacy on Main Street, 224 N. Main St. Graduates of the classes of ’64 and ’66 are...
A site out of this world
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A site out of this world
By MIKE BARNES 
September 3, 2025
In Eufaula, a town where gossip can outpace the mail, a story is slowly gaining momentum. It isn’t about the latest fishing tournament or Friday night football, but about a cosmic visitor called 3I/ A...
Rest, reflections, and farewells
commentary
Rest, reflections, and farewells
By JOE DORMAN OICA CEO 
September 3, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – I hope your Labor Day weekend was full of relaxation. I schedule a vacation each year with friends to get away over this holiday which allows me to “charge up the batteries” for upcomi...
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