July 31, 2021 Issue, Page 4 of 32

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Deadline week eliminates hundreds of bills from consideration By Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy CEO Joe Today’s gifts Dorman Glynda Lomax Last week was an impor- “We can only be said to be tant milestone for this year’s alive in those moments when Legislature, as any bill that our hearts are conscious of had not been passed out of our treasures.” ~ Thornton become, the more darkness in the cool shadowed valley committee by Thursday Wilde and uncertainty we see as we watered by our tears where (2/28) is now dormant for fearfully peer into them. We things really grow. How will the remainder of the year. Thave a plaque on my wall seek love and friendship and find betrayal. The world ap- you ever learn to fully appre- ciate the rainbows unless you Of the approximately 2,815 that reads “Each new day bills filed in 2019, only about brings with it many gifts. pears a cold, frightening and have first known the uncer- 1,000 are still “live rounds,” Untie the ribbons.” It is a con- uncertain place and nothing tainty of the thunderstorm, meaning they advanced past Dorman stant reminder that the gifts isright. the darkness ofthe rain? Un- last week’s legislative dead- of today are to be my focus, less you have heard it crash line and can still be actively not yesterday’s memories, not Sometimes the greatest through your dreams with the considered. That includes 243 House and Senate bills that my hopes for tomorrow, but gifts life brings come to us threat of impending disaster, directly impact children and families, each of which OICA is the simple gift of today. in ugly wrappings. The gifts you cannot know the true looking back down the street actively monitoring. may be people, situations beauty ofthe hope that comes of broken dreams that is our OICA is also actively assisting in negotiations and legisla- We never know what or circumstances. We hope with the soft, misty dawn in tive work surrounding two key issue areas. First, legislators surprises today will bring and find disappointment. the morning or the serenity of past, but must instead con- are working on bills that address school suspensions and us. Some may be good and We encounter a financial the cricket's song at dusk. tinue moving ahead through ~ we hope - will emphasize counseling over the use of long, some bad. Some days are like situation or illness we never the valleys, over the moun- punitive suspensions for students who act out. Banishing rainbows, the longer we gaze thought could happen to us. Though the pain in our soul taintops, to our next adven- children from the classroom for weeks or months at a time at them, the more beautiful We seek our friends, and is great as we walk through can permanently set them back and reduce the likelihood they become, the more varia- find they weren’t our friends the valley of thunder and ture, our next lesson, to our that they succeed in school or beyond. In addition to school tions and striations we notice at all. We are betrayed by a tears, we must be thankful for next gift. suspensions, legislators also continue their good work on in them. We need a friend, spouse or lover, passed over the wisdom gained. Ignorance criminal justice reform. Lawmakers should be applauded and find they are there. The for a promotion at work. What may be bliss but it is wisdom, Have you untied the rib- for continuing to file and advance bills that will help reduce world appears a welcoming gift could possibly be found not blissful ignorance, on the prison population while ensuring victims receive justice and friendly place and all is in that? which we may solidly build a bons on the gifts of today? for violent crimes committed against them. OICA is at the well. happy life. table with lawmakers working on both of these issues to pro- Ttis in life’s darkest mo- “Ifyou are still talking vide a voice for children who would be impacted by these Some days are like thunder, ments that we gain experi- The path ahead is full of about what you did yester- changes in the laws. dark, scary and threatening. ence and wisdom. There are promise, of hope, of experi- Unfortunately, some issues which we feel strongly about ‘The more we look at them, seasons of life we seem to live ence from lessons learned. day, you haven't done much did not survive “deadline week.” That includes the use the more frightening they on the mountain tops, but itis We must not waste time today.” ~ Author Unknown of federal dollars to help underwrite health insurance for working class Oklahomans, and the reinstatement of the Earned Income Tax Credit. Both would have directly helped lower-income families and children. Despite the lack of Raise for corrections legislative progress on these fronts this year, we are still hopeful these issues can be addressed through final budget negotiations with Governor Stitt and the legislative leader- ship in May. OICA is also delving into federal policy by encouraging workers less expensive our federal delegation to look at ways to improve govern- ment savings plans to benefit the youngest Oklahomans. While current 529 savings plans only provide benefits for older students, OICA would like to see amended language than alternatives to assist with costs applied to day care. Not only would this allow people to contribute and save for early childhood programs, but it would improve the quality of day care cur- ricula across the state for them to qualify for these funds. We need activists and readers of this column to engage on these issues. If you are not receiving our action alerts, Muskogee Phoenix, Okla. an hour, and oftentimes five couple of years ago to check time pay because of staffing please sign up at oica.org to be immediately updated on to seven days a week. that with criminal justice shortages, and retention rate when you can make a call or send an email and make a A legislative performance Bobby Cleveland, executive reforms. Resistance among for officers with less than two difference on whether a good bill is heard or a bad policy audit recommends an ad- director of Oklahoma Corree- some lawmakers delayed years of experience is 43.9 is voted against. Believe it or not, a few phone callls to the ditional $19.1 million be spent tions Professionals, said for those efforts, but there are percent. office of a lawmaker can oftentimes make the difference this year to increase wages every six employees hired by some signs of forward prog- Both are signs of problems, ona vote. Legislators infrequently hear from constituents, for state corrections workers the Oklahoma Department of ress. the people who live in their districts, so five or six calls can in Oklahoma, where more Corrections, seven workers But while there are inmates and those problems can lead ‘sometimes help with the effort to see better policies become people are imprisoned per quit. in the state’s custody, law- to failures in security and law. capita than anyplace else in It’s a “very dangerous makers must ensure the pris- safety of both the workers and OICA has almost 30,000 people signed up to receive our the world. job” that requires a special ons housing them are staffed the inmates. weekly newsletter and advocacy alerts, but we need more Oklahoma prisons are skill set, and those willing with competent employees. Lawmakers must step up of you who are interested in seeing better for Oklahoma’s overcrowded, dangerously to undertake it deserve fair ‘That will happen only when with more money for wages children to be willingto help with those calls and emails. In understaffed, and on-site cor- compensation. the compensation package is orrisk the consequences, addition, your lawmakers appreciate knowing that you are rectional workers are grossly State corrections officials something that is attractive which could include lawsuits willing to engage and help them make a better-informed underpaid. have struggled with over- to those looking for jobs in decision for policy and that you recognize their effort to vote Those who work behind crowding issues for years due Oklahoma. and an even costlier federal for better for Oklahoma’s children. Please sign up at oica. prison walls reportedly work to atough on crime mentality. The state presently pays takeover of the state’s prison org today! 12 hours a day, earning $13.74 Oklahoma voters decided a nearly $16 million in over- system.