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
Help us find thought leaders for children in Oklahoma
commentary
March 12, 2025
Help us find thought leaders for children in Oklahoma
By JOE DORMAN OICA CEO

OKLAHOMA CITY – It has been an interesting first month of the legislative session at the Oklahoma State Capitol with the focus on committee work. This year, the House of Representatives requires every bill to pass both a subcommittee and a parent committee. The Senate set extra time to consider legislation in committees. Several great ideas are moving forward.

House Bill 2030 by Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, and Sen. Kristen Thompson, R- Edmond, would increase foster care reimbursement rates by $5, up from the current $17.72 per day. This rate has not increased in nearly a decade, making it impossible for many families to be foster families.

Representative Archer was recognized by Oklahoma Care, a nonprofit 501(c)3 network of Oklahoma residential and foster care agencies, as their “Lawmaker of the Year” for his work on this issue. The bill passed the Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services and is now before the full House Appropriations Committee.

Another bill OICA is tracking is House Bill 1848 by Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, D-Tulsa. HB 1848 grants a tax credit to employers that provides a childcare subsidy to its employees or operates a childcare facility for its employees.

The credit is equal to 30 percent of the subsidy amount or operating cost, limited to $30,000 per employer. The credit is for five years and is capped at $5 million in total claims each year. The bill was passed by both committees and will hopefully soon be scheduled for a vote by the House of Representatives.

A high priority bill for OICA has already passed the Senate and has moved to the House of Representatives. Senate Bill 364 by Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa and House Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, prohibits government employees in schools from striking children who are special needs students under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The Senate passed the legislation by a vote of 30-16, and we await House action.

Oklahoma has some amazing leaders working for children. OICA has worked with many who see the benefit of building better opportunities for young people. I recently attended the memorial service for Gene Rainbolt, a philanthropist who helped many through his efforts, and it made me realize that OICA needs to do a better job of sharing our message and serve as a resource for those who want help to serve children.

Recently, not only did our state lose Rainbolt, but also former U.S. Sen. David Boren and former state Rep. Bobby Frame. At the local level close to me, Steve LaForge of Chickasha and Melvin Heath of Rush Springs also passed. Steve and Melvin proved you can make a positive difference for children without holding an elective office. There must be others, and OICA needs to do a better job of working with advocates across the state.

We at OICA want to hear from you about those doing good work for young people so we can connect with them. You can help us find those who are doing significant work for children by going to https://tinyurl.com/ OICAThoughtLeader and submit up to five youth-serving leaders with whom we can connect. Submit more by simply filling out the survey again.

OICA recognizes individuals and organizations for their effort when we learn of them, but I also want to start conversations on how we can work together to turn around many of the negative statistics that face the children of our state. Most importantly, we need to build up these conversations so the local leaders might elevate their own work to new levels. Please help us build a strong network of those who want to improve our state.

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 ...
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
5 in race for state school superintendent
news
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
news
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...
news
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
news
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...
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