OKLAHOMA STATE SENATE / From the desk of Sen. Jessica Garvin
I’m thrilled to announce the Oklahoma Ethics Commission recently decided to allow candidates running for elected office to use their campaign funds for dependent care. This is an issue I’ve been passionately working on for over a year. I requested Ethics Commission guidance on this topic last year after introducing legislation that would have allowed candidates to use their campaign cash for childcare expenses. In response to my request, the Ethics Commission issued an opinion on the matter. Now, candidates and state elected officials can tap into their campaign accounts to hire a babysitter or cover day care costs when they’re campaigning. This would also apply to candidates who need to find a caregiver for an elderly or disabled relative. More than 30 other states already allowed this practice.
I asked the Ethics Commission to change campaign finance rules to make it easier for parents, especially mothers with young children, to run for elected office. When I ran for office, I was blessed to have a strong support system of family and friends who could watch my children while I attended campaign events or spent long hours knocking on doors. But I’ve heard from other young parents who are interested in public service but don’t have the same extensive support network.
Childcare shouldn’t ever be a barrier to entry into public service. I’m proud to have led the charge to make it easier for young parents to balance their home obligations and their political aspirations. It was great working with the Vote Mama Foundation, which has helped change campaign finance rules in dozens of states, on this initiative.
On another note, my family has been hard at work this summer on an amazing community project in Marlow. My husband and I are rallying residents to help revamp The Hideout, the children’s playground inside Redbud Park. I helped build this playground as a child, and I couldn’t be more excited to give back to the community and help update this park for the next generation of local kids. Plus, now my children get to have a hand in shaping the park.
My husband and I have put together a steering committee of local residents who will play a role in reimagining The Hideout. If you’re interested in volunteering or helping with fundraising efforts, please reach out.
Finally, with fall upon us, legislative work is picking up at the state Capitol. Senate interim studies started September 10 and will continue through October. I’ve scheduled several Senate General Government committee meetings in September and October to hear the interim studies assigned to my committees. My colleagues typically use these studies as an opportunity to dive into policy issues before legislative bill filing begins.
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.
