Be A Voice For Those Who Cannot Speak.
Advocate For What Matters.
December 13, 2010
Advocacy in 2011 – Building New Relationships
By Candace Richerson HRA
With the elections over, the new legislative session is just around the corner! Opening Session of Oklahoma's 53rd Legislature was at noon on Tuesday, February 7th, 2011. Attending an opening session is a remarkable experience. This year was an historic day as we witnessed our first female Governor deliver her budget and address the members of the Senate, the House, and the Judiciary.
Spring Into Action
Monday's at the Capitol is a non-partisan group, open to anyone who would like promote awareness to our legislators of the needs of people living with MS to. Last year this team was instrumental in getting HR 2710, our Tax Donation Box, passed and into law. This year we will be introducing a bill that gives clarity to the issues surrounding driver's licenses and MS. Join us as we welcome new legislators, their staff, and introduce them to The National MS Society. This session, like last session, budget constraints will be an issue. Many of our members depend upon programs funded by the state. Your voice will be needed!
Speaking of our Tax Donation Box, look for it on your 2010 Oklahoma State Tax Form beginning in December! If you have an accountant who prepares your taxes, please advise him or her that this option is new to the form. We must raise over $7500 each year for 3 years to stay on the form. I challenge you to tell at least 5 friends and relatives about this opportunity to donate $1.00, $2.00 – up to $25.00 using their refund or adding that amount to the tax they owe. This is an opportunity for people across the state, who may have never been to a walk or event, to contribute to the MS Society Oklahoma. All money collected stays right here in Oklahoma!
May 27, 2010
37 Steps and Counting!
MS Donation Box – HB 2710
Whether it is a Walk or a Program or a Service, our motto is Move It! And that is exactly what we did to get a donation box added to our state’s income tax form! Each step of the legislative process was a crossroads for the bill to die or move forward. With the support of volunteers who came to the Capitol, our advocacy efforts were successful in garnering good will for this bill. Volunteers called, and showed up for Mondays at the Capitol, to talk (throughout the session) to the members of the different committees and Moved It through the process! Our Day at the Capitol was huge. Our presence at the Capitol and work with other groups (including the Policy Consortium For Persons With Disabilities) has had a definitive effect on the way the state budget was negotiated. Our efforts have put a face to the legislation.
As soon as we know the date the Governor will sign the Bill into law we will post it here.
HB 2710 – The Timeline
In December, 2009, I queried several representatives about the possibility of co-authoring a bill that would provide the public with the opportunity to donate to the Oklahoma Chapter of the National MS Society by checking a box on their state income tax form.
The MS Donation Box – HB 2710 – was introduced on February 1st, 2010, the first day of the 52nd Legislative Session. It was carried (co-authored) by Representative Wallace Collins, Norman and co-authored by Senator Judy Eason-McIntyre, Tulsa. The bill was referred to the House Appropriations Committee where it passed with no amendments. Representatives Paul Roan, Tishomingo and Joe Dorman, Lawton signed on as co-authors. The bill passed the House with a vote of 98 – 2.
It was sent to the Senate where it was read and assigned to Senate Finance Committee. They decided to change the name of the Bill (called striking the Title). The amended bill was presented to the Senate and passed with a vote of 44 – 0. It returned to the House. Rep Collins rejected the Senate Amendment (this is a procedural move) and a conference was requested. The Conference Committee requested the Title (the original name of the bill) be restored. This report was submitted to the GCCA where it sat for 3 weeks. It was at this juncture that our advocacy efforts became crucial. Our bill was competing with budget appropriation bills and could easily have been ignored.
On May 13, the GCCA restored the title to its original. Both Rep Collins and Sen Eason-McIntyre’s offices believed, because the bill had passed the House in this original form (engrossed), that it would be sent to the Senate for a vote on the original bill. Instead, the bill (actually the GCCA report) was sent back to the House! On May 21, the bill added five more co-authors: Representatives Lucky Lamons, Tulsa; Chuck Hoskin, Vinita; Ryan Keisel, Seminole; Purcy Walker, Elk City; and Mike Shelton, Oklahoma City. The GCCA report was accepted and passed the House for a final time 100 – 0. (Representative Collins contacted the House Press room to issue a press release about the bill passing the House.) The GCCA/CCR report was returned to the Senate the same day - it was read, but did not received a vote. With the end of the session looming, we stepped up our advocacy efforts. It is at the discretion of the Floor Leader whether a bill is heard or not!
After requesting the bill be placed on the Senate Agenda, on May 24th, Sen Eason-McIntyre’s office received a note from the Floor Leader’s office that “it has been taken care of.” Indeed, the bill was placed on the agenda for May 25th. The Senate convened at 10:00am and it wasn’t until 5:41pm that HB 2710 was announced by the Floor Leader. The bill passed at 5:47pm with 44 yea votes and 0 no votes! Senator Connie Johnson, Oklahoma City, signed on as a co-author.
With that vote, the bill becomes Enrolled. The enrolled bill passes once more through the House and Senate for signing and then is sent to the Governor for his signature. Oklahoma law requires the Governor sign the bill within 5 days of its passage. That means by June 2nd our bill will become law!
Taxpayers will have the opportunity to donate to the MS Society Oklahoma when they submit their 2010 taxes. Help us spread the word!!!
Thank You,
Candace Richerson
May 4, 2010
Rally Again on Wednesday, May 5
If you missed the Rally today, join me tomorrow (May 5) at the Capitol on the first floor at 10:00.
Thank You,
Candace Richerson
April 28, 2010
The State of Oklahoma is considering making some of the largest budget cuts in state history.
This year, state agencies that serve our MS client base – Oklahoma Health Care Authority, DHS, senior services, Medicaid, - were forced to make 7 to 10 percent cuts in their programs and services. The calls to our offices for help have increased sharply as result of this year’s cuts.
The prospects for 2011 are sobering. Because of revenue shortfalls, our state must make important decisions before the end of this term. These same agencies (including education, transportation, corrections) are facing additional 7 – 10 percent cuts.
As a member of the Policy Consortium for Persons with Disabilities in Oklahoma, we have been asked to alert our membership about this budget crisis.
Our Legislative leadership is grappling with the state budget for 2011 right now. To assure that Oklahoma continues to serve our most vulnerable citizens: children, abuse victims, frail elderly, people with disabilities; that children and youth receive quality educations -
YOU MUST BECOME INVOLVED
How Can We Stop The Destruction of State Services?
Make Calls - Forward an email with this information to everyone.
Governor Henry has made proposals that will soften the blow. The Governor's Revenue Enhancement plan will add some $725 million to Oklahoma's budget. (see GovBudgetSummary.doc) Please call the Legislators listed below and ask them to work to save programs that serve our clients:
-
House phone number:1-800-522-8502 (free phone call)--ask for--
House Speaker: Speaker Chris Benge
House Appropriations Chair: Representative Ken Miller -
Senate phone number: 1-800-865-6490 (free phone call)--ask for--
Senate Pro Tempore: President Glen Coffee
Senate Appropriations Chair: Senator Mike Jackson
Here are some simple phone scripts. Please feel free to add to this list using your own personal circumstances. The most important part is approving the Governor’s revenue enhancement proposals.
“I’m concerned about the cuts to social services. Please work with Governor Henry to protect our most needy citizens.”
“Save our state and approve the Governor’s budget with his revenue enhancements.”
“I’m calling to ask you to fully fund social and health care services.”
“Cutting funds for ADvantage and other services will only cost the state more in the long run.”
“Please approve the Governor’s revenue enhancement proposals!”
For a detailed look at Oklahoma’s Revenue and Budget situation visit: http://www.okpolicy.org/fy-10-fy-11budget-information
Please read the attached documents!!! For examples of programs affected by
budget cuts, see On The Chopping Block. For specific examples of the Governor's proposal see Governor Budget Summary.
** Rally at the Capitol on Tuesday, May 4th at 10:00 in support of Mental Health Programs **
Click Here for details
Thank You,
Candace Richerson
April 14, 2010
At 3:30 this afternoon the Oklahoma State Senate unanimously passed HB 2710, our MS Tax Check-Off Bill! The next step will be the Governor’s signature.
I will be at the Capitol on Thursday to thank our Legislators for this victory and will meet with the Governor’s scheduler to make arrangements for people to be present at the signing of the bill into law.
This is indeed a good day! Now, we have the task of promoting the bill to assure every taxpayer in the state knows this option will be available to them on their 2011 state tax form. Our National Advocacy office has a tax bill promotion tool kit that we can use as a starting point.
But first, please join me in thanking Rep Wallace Collins, Rep Joe Dorman, Rep Paul Roan and Sen Judy Eason-McIntyre for authoring, and moving this bill through a very tough session.
Rep Collins: wallace.collins@okhouse.gov
Rep Dorman: joedorman@okhouse.gov
Rep Roan: paulroan@okhouse.gov
Sen Eason-McIntyre: easonmcintyre@oksenate.gov
Thank You,
Candace Richerson
February 8, 2010
We have a bill before the Oklahoma Legislature that would allow donations to be made to the Oklahoma Chapter via their Oklahoma Tax Form. The Checkoff box on the tax form would allow for up to $25.00 to be donated by someone who must pay tax or someone who will receive a refund can request that up to $25.00 be given to the Chapter. The funds will be supervised by the Oklahoma Department of Health and made available to the Chapter for programs, services and research projects. If passed, Oklahomans will be able to participate in 2011 when filing their 2010 taxes.
Check back for information about how you can help make sure this bill passes!
Click here to read House Bill 2710.
Thank You,
Candace Richerson