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(With Recent Obituaries)

Newly Remodeled Facilities at 13th & Main

Jim R. Dolton
Funeral Director/Owner
Melvin Lowe - Funeral Director
Christy Harris - Funeral Director
Mary Blythe - Office Manager-Collinsville Funeral Home
Betty Littler - Office Manager-Oologah Funeral Home

Why's that? It's because that is the phrase used to define the last day of the legislative session, which is May 25. It means "without day." And in less than two weeks, this year's legislature will finish its business.

Right now we're in the thick of conference committee meetings concerning bills which need re-tooling by members of the House and Senate. We're spending a lot of time trying to come to agreements on bills which passed one house, then passed the other but with new amendments that the former house rejected. Once an agreement is made, the revised bill will appear in front of the House and Senate for final approval before going to the governor's desk for his signature.

And while we're still working on those Conference Committee Reports, we have been passing legislation and the governor has been signing bills, making them law.

There are a few that have been passed recently that I think are worth mentioning, such as the one just signed by the governor concerning immigration reform. This past Tuesday, House Bill 1804 was signed into law, giving Oklahoma one of the toughest illegal immigration measures in the country.

The bill will ensure that the tax dollars of hard-working American citizens and legal immigrants are protected from waste and improper use by those who are breaking the law. According to the Federation of American Immigration Reform $200 million annually will be saved via stronger immigration laws in Oklahoma. That will help our state budget spend that money on things such as education, roads and other state agencies.

I'm also pleased that a massive reform bill that I co-authored to help out the ailing Teacher Retirement System has been signed. Senate Bill 357 will ensure our teachers have access to proper retirement funds when their time comes. The plan will pump more than $200 million into the Teacher's Retirement System over the next five years. It's a permanent funding solution for what was becoming a looming crisis for our state.

When the plan is fully-implemented in the year 2010, it would provide an extra $60 million every year. Most importantly, this will stabilize things long-term for the system. Within 25 years, the Teacher's Retirement System will be funded to 80 percent. Currently, less than 50 percent is funded. I believe that will help keep our bright young teachers in-state, since they know their future will be taken care of.

There are still some issues out there which need to be addressed, namely the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts July 1. I am hopeful we will agree to and pass a 2008 state budget before Sine Die, so we can avoid spending more taxpayer money on a special session. If you ever have a question or need anything, remember I'm working for you. Call me at (405) 557-7289 at the Capitol, (918) 336-4855 in Bartlesville or e-mail me at earl.sears@okhouse.gov.

Earl Sears (R- Bartlesville) serves District 11 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Bride- Keeva Marie Brumley
Collinsville High School graduate 2005, Junior at Northeastern State University majoring in Health and Physical Education, Gymnastics Coach at Cheer It Up Gymnastics and All-stars at Tahlequah

Groom- Matthew Tyler O'Mealey
Claremore High School Graduate 2003, Northeastern State University Mass Communications Graduate May 2007, Youth Pastor at Fairview Baptist Church in Muskogee, OK., Starbucks' Barista

The couple will be making there home in Muskogee. The groom anticipates starting his Masters Degree at a Baptist Theological Seminary and the Bride plans on completing her undergraduate degree at Northeastern.

Brides Parents- Roger and Pam Brumley of Aurora, Missouri, formerly of Collinsville, OK. Roger was the Pastor at Eastside Baptist Church for over 13 years. Pam was formerly the Associate Choral Director for the Collinsville Middle and High School for over 9 years.
Groom's Parents- Larry and Georgiann O'Mealey of Claremore, OK Both parents are teachers in the Claremore School System.

Wedding date- May 19th, 2007 at 1:00pm
Where- Eastside Baptist Church in Collinsville, OK

Minister- Bride's Father, Roger Brumley
Music- Bride's Brother, Berrik Brumley