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Lawmakers take office, OICA begins developing children’s legislative agenda
commentary
November 27, 2024
Lawmakers take office, OICA begins developing children’s legislative agenda
By JOE DORMAN OICA CEO

OKLAHOMA CITY – On Wednesday, November 20, the new class of Oklahoma lawmakers will take office.

In total, 31 new Oklahoma lawmakers – 17 in the House and 14 in the Senate – will join 117 veteran lawmakers for the first session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature. There is one remaining seat to be filled in the state Senate for District 8, formerly held by Sen. Roger Thompson. That Special Primary Election will be held March 4, 2025, and if necessary, the Runoff Primary will be on Tuesday, April 1. The Special General Election will be May 13, 2025.

The House Republican Caucus has 81 of the 101 members in the House of Representatives. In the Senate, the GOP controls 39 of the 48 seats, with expectation that the Thompson seat will remain in Re-publican hands. There are 20 Democrats in the House and eight in the Senate.

While I am looking forward to working with many of the newly elected officials who will serve during the next two years, I also want to thank those leaving state service. Personally, many of these individuals have been great allies as we work for better policies to benefit Oklahoma’s youth. While we might not have seen eye to eye every single time, I knew that each was doing what they felt was best.

Civility appears to be a dying sentiment at all levels of government. In the past, most elected officials could agree to disagree on issues and still find common ground on policies which had a little from each side’s position included. Now, it feels like an official is demonized if they dare seek a solution that is not ideologically pure.

Even friendships across party lines seem to be out of fashion, which is really disappointing. When I served in the House of Representatives, I was proud to have friendships with lawmakers from both parties – friendships that endure to this day. The reason these have lasted is because we cared about the future of Oklahoma, even if we disagreed on how to get there.

The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) works to improve the lives of children, seeking out policymakers who will sit down and discuss the variety of issues impacting children. Developing the Children’s Legislative Agenda begins with our annual Fall Forum policy conference being held this week. We will discuss different ideas presented by advocates for legislative or agency solutions. The issue areas we will discuss, among others, at Fall Forum are: 1) Support Programs and Services for Foster Families and Biological Parents/Guardians, 2) Accessibility to Health-Related Services and Programs, 3) Learning Loss and Educational Opportunities for Children, and 4) Childcare and Family Leave Programs.

Once done, our team will seek out authors of legislation for those concepts. The bill drafting request deadline is Friday, December 6; that’s when lawmakers must submit ideas to the legislative staff for bills. Staff then will begin the arduous process of drafting these ideas into a bill format for where it will best fit into the Oklahoma Statutes.

There will roughly be one month for the staff to complete bill drafting; to put into perspective what a heavy lift this is, in 2023, lawmakers filed more than 3,000 bills. I expect that we will see similar numbers this year. State senators can file as many bills as they want, while state representatives are capped at eight bills each. Of course, members of House leadership are allowed more.

If you or an organization you work with is considering a state law change, now is the time to reach out to your lawmakers, or those who work in support of the area which is of interest.

Eufaula Memorial Library
A: Main, news
Eufaula Memorial Library
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A llama and a youngster got acquainted at a petting zoo at the Eufaula Memorial Library Wednesday, June 25. Dozens of kids and adults enjoyed the llama, goats, donkey and other animals, provided by Ma...
A: Main, news
Eufaula hosting July 4 Celebration
July 2, 2025
Mayor James Hickman and the City of Eufaula are honored to invite residents and visitors to the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration on Friday, July 4. The fireworks will begin shortly after su...
A legacy lives on
A: Main, news
A legacy lives on
By LaDonna Rhodes Staff Writer 
July 2, 2025
Selby Minner’s Celebration of Life on Saturday at the Checotah Performing Arts Center was a beautiful 3-hour-long tribute to an amazing soul who loved the blues and more importantly, loved people. As ...
Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
A: Main, news
Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 2, 2025
A 57-year-old Eufaula woman was killed by lightning during a routine stroll through a cemetery Friday evening. Joy Ann Rogers was walking through Greenwood cemetery shortly before 7 p.m. when a thunde...
A: Main, news
Native American Arts & Crafts show Saturday
July 2, 2025
Eufaula Indian Community will host an Arts and Crafts show and sale Saturday, July 5 at the IEC Center, 800 Birkes Road, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to this event, a chair volleyball tournament...
Olivia Shackelford honored with 2025 Youth Prevention Award
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Olivia Shackelford honored with 2025 Youth Prevention Award
July 2, 2025
On June 5, local student Olivia Shackelford of Eufaula was recognized as the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Youth Prevention Award in Oklahoma City at the Heartland Conference. This past week Olivi...
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Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
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Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
By LENORE BECHTEL 
July 2, 2025
Her casket rested below center stage at the Checotah Performing Arts Center, open for friends, fans, and family to view her precious body before her life’s celebration began. No one lingered long. Tha...
Another busy week in the district
commentary
Another busy week in the district
By REP. TIM TURNER 
July 2, 2025
I started last Saturday June 21, bright and early at Stigler Reunion Days. I kicked things off at the Haskell County GOP Tent, answering questions and catching up with friends and supporters. Then I h...
Killing them with kindness
commentary
Killing them with kindness
July 2, 2025
What a month it’s been for me personally and in our close-knit communities. Trying to cope with the loss of loved ones has been extremely difficult and downright demanding. Yet having to come to terms...
‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
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‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
By JOE DORMAN OICA CEO 
July 2, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – Over the past month, I have highlighted portions of the federal “Big Beautiful Bill” as passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, the bill is under consideration by the U...
Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
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Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
July 2, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Neil Hays, R-Muskogee, today expressed strong support for Gov. Kevin Stitt’s new “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” (MOHA) executive order, which targets artificial food additives and ...
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