Rising Hope needs:
Shampoo ( Boys/Girls)
Brushes ( Boys/Girls)
Small toys to fit in duffle bags all ages
teenage stuff

For more info contact
Jacob at risinghope@yahoo.com
Risinghope1.wordpress.com

June 7, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Senator Rick Brinkley
State Capitol: (405) 521-5566
Email: brinkley@oksenate.gov

Senate Review by Sen. Rick Brinkley

The 2013 Legislative Session just ended and I believe our state will benefit from several measures we approved that are also part of our ongoing effort to create new jobs and expand our economy. Senate Bill 1062 will transform Oklahoma’s workers’ compensation system from a judicial to administrative system. Our current system is one of the most expensive in the country, and it has resulted in other states winning jobs that would otherwise have been created here. These reforms will dramatically reduce costs while helping injured workers get the treatment they need and get back to work sooner.

With Kansas having lowered their income tax to 4.9 percent, and Texas having none at all, it was important for Oklahoma to enact HB 2031, which will reduce the top income tax rate from 5.25 percent to 4.85 percent in phases beginning in 2015. This too will enable us to better compete for jobs while enabling hardworking Oklahomans to keep more of what they earn.

Education is also an important component in our efforts to grow Oklahoma’s economy. We invested an additional $91 million in education this legislative session. We also modified the A-F school grading system to provide a complete accounting of school performance.

Before the session began a series of public hearings were held to investigate reports of neglect and abuse in Oklahoma’s veterans’ centers. Those hearings resulted in several recommendations that we approved and the governor signed into law. Our veterans are heroes, and should be treated with the care and respect they earned through their service to our nation. These reforms will result in stronger oversight of these centers and better training for those who care for our veterans.

We also approved several measures to address Oklahoma’s growing prescription drug abuse problem. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD) points to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to show how bad the problem has become in our state—the CDC says Oklahoma is ranked first in the nation in painkiller abuse and ninth in painkiller deaths. These reforms will make it more difficult for individuals to fill multiple prescriptions of drugs like hydrocodone, as well as making other changes to help our state better address this alarming health issue.

Money was set aside to repair the deteriorating state Capitol, and a framework has been created to oversee the state’s infrastructure needs.

And as I mentioned previously, in the closing days we also passed legislation to assist those impacted by the May storms—while it was the massive May 20th EF-5 tornado that prompted the legislation to be introduced, it’ll also apply to those impacted by the May 31st storms.

Some of the highlights, among the bills I authored, include legislation which increases the admissibility of evidence in court cases regarding the manufacturing of Meth; a bill which protects parents from being charged with crimes related to the Computer Crimes Act for monitoring their children’s Internet usage and protecting their children from on-line predators; several measures designed to protect and improve our various pension systems; a bill which increased communities’ abilities to arrange financing for infrastructure improvements; a bill which made changes to the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Acts including an incentive for companies to hire Veterans, as well as the creation of the Oklahoma Insurance Consumer Bill of Rights. I was also able to take the lead on behalf of President Pro Tem Brian Bingman in the mutualization of Comp Source.

Many of you know that my work often takes me to many other states around the country. Many of the people I’ve met through those travels have enquired about Oklahoma, expressing their concern over these recent deadly storms—but just as importantly, expressing their admiration for how our citizens reach out to their neighbors in times of crisis, and strengthened by that support, display a courage and resilience that is truly an inspiration to others. Oklahoma is home—and I couldn’t be more proud to be an Oklahoman.

When the 2014 session begins, we will likely be revisiting important reforms that were approved during the 2009 legislative session. That’s because this past week, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that the Comprehensive Lawsuit Reform Act of 2009 violated the state constitution’s single-subject rule.

It’s disappointing, because this legislation dealt with reducing frivolous lawsuits that had been a black eye for our state, undermining our efforts to create an environment that would result in more jobs and a more vibrant economy. However, we’ll see reforms brought back in separate bills next session. I’m sure those will be quickly approved and enacted, helping restore those important reforms.

Please feel free to contact me at the state Capitol by calling (405) 521-5566 or by email at brinkley@oksenate.gov.

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Thank you so much for helping us spread the word about this great tool for our Main Street businesses.

Sherry Campbell
Promotions
Collinsville Downtown, Inc.
(6/17/2013)

If it is not too hot we will be bringing some of our dogs.

6/9/2013

This page sponsored in part by:

http://hannahshelpinghands.org

Hannah's Helping Hands, Inc. — Our Mission
We are a non-profit 501(c)3 organization providing financial assistance to families with children battling cancer. Many families need help with the most basic needs for their families during this fight for their child’s life. Some must leave work for months and even years to care for their sick child and the financial loss can be devastating. Our goal is to help as many families being treated locally as possible. We help with basic needs such as gas & food cards, groceries, wigs, utility payments, prescriptions, medical co-payments, rent/housing as well as other expenses. Our referrals come from doctors, nurses and staff at a local children’s hospital in Tulsa as well as our local communities.