The Senate is putting a priority on appropriating millions of dollars to help Oklahoma communities recovering from the recent severe storms. The Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget met recently to set aside $45 million to help tornado-impacted localities like Sulphur, Holdenville and Barnsdall. Although this funding will only help the seven counties that have been approved for FEMA disaster assistance so far, state and local resources remain available for other counties recovering from the severe weather.
The governor has declared a state of emergency in more than 25 counties, including McClain and Cleveland counties. The Senate and House fasttracked this $45 million for FEMA matching funds through both chamber so the Department of Emergency Management can use it to help communities in need as soon as possible.
As a reminder, the Oklahoma Insurance Department can help residents with any issues they may have related to insurance claims for storm damage. For help, call the department’s Consumer Assistance Division at 1-800-522-0071. The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs is also offering grants to veterans who experienced significant hardship due to the recent storms. These grants are part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to ensure local veterans and their families get the support and resources they need to recover and rebuild. For more information, call 405-523-4000.
The Senate General Government Committee, which I chair, resumed meeting last week to begin the process of hearing executive nominations. Many of the people appointed to key positions in state government must be confirmed by the Senate.
My committee heard from several of the governor’s appointees, including Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management Director Annaelise Vest. The Senate quickly confirmed her appointment last week to make sure she can focus solely on the state’s response to recent tornadoes and severe storms.
I’m also sponsoring the governor’s nomination of Newcastle resident Ella Reed to serve on the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Her nomination was heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee recently and was being heard on the Senate floor last week.
The governor signed into law another one of my bills last week. I partnered with Marlow Rep. Brad Boles on House Bill 2362. This measure codifies new standards for periodic audits of municipal governments that serve less than 2,500 people. This is simply a cost-savings measure for some of our smallest rural communities to guarantee the audit requirements aren’t overly burdensome.
Finally, I’m so proud of our local high school baseball teams for dominating the State tournament this weekend. Congratulations to the Class 4A Marlow Outlaws and the Class 3A Washington Warriors on becoming State Champions. Congratulations are also in order for the Blanchard Lions and the Duncan Demons for finishing the season in second place in their respective classes. I can’t wait to welcome our championship teams to the Capitol.
If you have any questions or concerns on legislative matters, please contact me at the Capitol by emailing me at Jessica.Garvin@oksenate. gov, calling me at 405-521-5522 or writing to Senator Jessica Garvin, State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.
