Governor Fallin Applauds Legislature for Passing Emergency Relief Measure

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today applauded the Oklahoma Legislature for passing a bill transferring $45 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to the Emergency Fund. The funds will be administered by the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management and used to reimburse local governments for relief efforts related to natural disasters, including the May 19 and May 20 tornadoes.

“The tornadoes that struck several Oklahoma communities this week were absolutely devastating,” said Fallin. “We are currently in an all-hands-on-deck effort to recover and rebuild. My thanks go out to our Legislature for helping to ensure that communities hit hard by storm and tornado damage will have the support they need moving forward. “

Money from the fund will match 12.5 percent of federal dollars spent to reimburse counties, cities, and towns for infrastructure damages that occur under a presidential disaster declaration. It will also be used to cover extraordinary response costs incurred by state agencies while responding to natural disasters.  

Senate Bill SB 249 passed unanimously in both the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma State Senate.  It was authored by Senate Pro Tem Brian Bingman in the Senate and Representative Jason Nelson in the House.

Lawmakers Thank First Responders and Volunteers, Encourage Donations for Victims

OKLAHOMA CITY – Several state lawmakers today expressed their gratitude toward all those Oklahomans and residents of other states who have worked so hard to assist with the rescue, recovery, clean up and donation drives following the devastating tornadoes in Moore and Little Axe on Sunday and Monday.

State Representatives Paul Wesselhöft, Mark McBride, Josh Cockroft and Jon Echols, each of whom represent a portion of Cleveland County, would like to thank all of the rescue workers, first responders, firemen, police officers, guardsmen and volunteers for all of their hard work during this time of need and extend their gratitude to each individual who has donated money and supplies for the victims and volunteers, said Wesselhöft..

“Every donation is appreciated, regardless of size,” said Wesselhöft, R-Moore. “The Salvation Army has reported that a donation as small as $10 can feed a victim for an entire day. With estimated damages in excess of $2 billion, every contribution is vital.”

Wesselhöft noted that Devon Energy and Continental Resources Inc. have each pledged donations of $2.5 million, while several other individuals and organizations have each pledged donations of $1 million each.  

“The list of private donations does not stop there,” said McBride, R-Moore. “At least twenty other private companies and individuals have pledged generous sums to help repair the damage caused by the tornado to City of Moore and other areas throughout the state. The state of Oklahoma is expected to appropriate an additional $45 million to relief efforts from the state’s ‘Rainy Day’ fund.

“The generosity of Oklahomans and other American citizens has been amazing,” said Echols, R-Oklahoma City. “As I understand, within just a few days, donations have surpassed the dollar amounts donated during any other natural disaster to occur in the United States, with total contributions now close to $70 million. And that doesn’t even include state or federal matching aid.”

In addition to monetary contributions, fundraising events are being held across the state to raise money for the relief efforts. Country stars and Oklahoma natives Blake Shelton and Toby Keith are each performing benefit concerts for victims of the storm damage. Other events include local concerts, t-shirt promotions, and restaurant specials with all pledging to donate the proceeds to victims of the storm.

Assemblyman Phillip Goldfeder of Queens, New York visited the state yesterday to announce contributions from his district. Goldfeder told the House of Representatives that his home and more than 85 percent of his district in Queens were destroyed during Hurricane Sandy, and that some of the first responders in his district were from Oklahoma. He visited Oklahoma Tuesday to repay the kindness shown by Oklahomans, touring the devastated areas with Wesselhöft and coordinating relief efforts in New York City to arrange for relief supplies to be sent to Oklahoma within the week.

“The state of Oklahoma is loved by its own people, and people throughout the country and world,” said Cockroft, R-Tecumseh. “With the generosity and help of those throughout the world reaching out, Cleveland County, and other areas damaged by the tornado, will be rebuilt to be even stronger than before.”

Below is a list of contributors to relief efforts to date. This list is expected to continue growing and is not indicative of all those providing services or donations. If citizens are aware of other contributions being made, please contact Rep. Wesselhoft. He can be reach at the state Capitol by email, paul.wesselhoft@okhouse.gov, or by phone, (405)557-7343.

Devon Energy	$2.5 Million
Continental Resources Inc.	$2.5 Million
Chesapeake	$1 Million
Kevin Durant	$1 Million
Russell Westbrook	$1 Million
OKC Thunder/Thunder Cares	$1 Million
NBA	$1 Million
Wal-Mart	$1 Million
The American Legion	$1 Million to veterans affected
Phillips 66	$1 Million
ConocoPhillips	$1 Million
Home Depot Foundation	$1 million; $250,000 to RedCross; $100,000 Team Rubicon
Koch Brothers	$1 Million
George Kaiser	$1 Million
Cox Enterprises	$1 Million
Crossings Community Church	$1 Million
Apache Energy	$1 Million
ONEOK	$1 Million
Private Donor	$1 Million
Oklahoma Gas & Electric	$500,000
Exxon Mobile	$500,000
Ford Motor Co. & Dealers	$400,000; A Ford Transit Connect van, $500 vehicle purchase assistance to victims
AARP	$250,000 match, up to $500,000
Chase	$350,000, and match up to $150,000
Verizon	$100,000
Convoy of Hope	$100,000
United Way of Central Oklahoma	$100,000
World Vision	$75,000
BancFirst w/ Moore Ministerial Alliance	$25,000
General Motors Foundation	$50,000
BancFirst w/ Moore Ministerial Alliance	$25,000
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Oklahoma	$25,000, Tetanus Shots
FAA Credit Union	$2,500 matching contributions
Roosevelt Elementary (Ponca City)	$1,400 of purchased goods instead of field trip
Ponca City Walmart	$500
Southern Baptist Disaster Relief	Tractor-trailers of water and roof tarps
Sam’s Club	Free membership, wi-fi, electronic charging
OSU Veterinary Center for Health Services	Care for injured animals
UCO	Up to 16 hours of paid leave for volunteers

Cockroft Weekly Column

As our state mourns the loss of life and complete destruction of property from the recent tornadoes, the resilience of the Oklahoma people has shown through brightly. Large areas of my legislative district were severely affected and the recovery and relief efforts immediately began Sunday night. I spent over 27 hours straight out in my district helping the people near Stanley Draper Lake, Little Axe, McLoud, and Bethel Acres as they begin to piece their lives back together. Helping clean up broken homes, trim mangled trees, and weeping and praying with my constituents has been an honor. I could not be more proud of the individuals from and around my district who have dropped everything to help their neighbors and friends. Our emergency service personnel have worked tirelessly to assure that everyone remains safe and that order is kept. Utility workers from all area companies continue to work feverishly to restore power and essential services. Being on the ground since the storm hit, I have seen firsthand the incredible job all county and city officials have done to respond; clearing roads and trimming trees. Our churches and other community groups continue to provide meals, water, shelter, and work crews without grand thanks or high praise. It is times like these that I am able to see the greatness of our State and the heart of our people. Seeing wrecked homes and broken families is not easy, but it is in the times of tragedy we find out who we really are. After these past several days, we have come out stronger than we were before.

The hard times definitely aren’t over as in the following weeks and months the effort to clean up and try to restore the way of life for so many families will continue. Some information you might need or want to know:

-          The Oklahoma Insurance Department will have a center set up at the Shawnee Expo Center for your convenience. If you have any questions or need information about your insurance claims, they will be able to help. They will stay until all needs have been met.

-          Multiple churches across Cleveland and Pottawatomie Counties, as well as the Shawnee and Moore Red Cross are assisting in the recovery and relief efforts. Call them directly for more information on how you can help, as well as what their needs may be.

I am always available to answer any questions you may have. There are many questions that arise from a situation like this and my Capitol Assistant, Carla, and I are more than able and willing to help. My Facebook: Representative Josh Cockroft and Blog page: www.RepJoshCockroft.blogspot.com have many resources for your use as well.

It is an honor to serve you. I am proud to say I am from the Pottawatomie and Cleveland County areas and proud to work alongside you. The outpouring of love and help is overwhelming. Don’t you just love Oklahoma? I know I do. 

House Republicans Provide Tornado Relief

OKLAHOMA CITY - In response to the disasters that fell upon Oklahoma this week, House Republicans are in support of $45 million to be used in relief from the rainy day fund and a pay raises to state troopers in recognition of their dedication to service during this crisis.

Republican leadership is supporting a relief package which includes Senate Bill 249 and House Bill 2145. SB 249 will take $45 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund and direct them to the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management.  HB 2145, authored by Representative Jeff Hickman  and House Speaker T.W. Shannon, will provide a pay raise package for state troopers.

“While the full impact of this disaster is yet to be determined, let us be thankful for those who are on the frontlines tirelessly working to save the people of this great state,” said Speaker Shannon, R-Lawton. “As law makers we must mirror their spirit and do what we can for those whose lives are forever changed by this disaster. They need our help now more than ever. Let us also stay strong in prayer and have faith that God will see us through. ”

HB 2145 must go through conference committee and be approved by both chambers before being signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin.

Update on Pottawatomie County Emergency Situation

Shawnee Mayor Wes Mainord and the Board of County Commissioners have signed Declarations of Emergency for Shawnee and Pottawatomie County respectively. Governor Mary Fallin has declared a State of Emergency for Pottawatomie County. This declaration triggers the "price gouging" statute as well as setting the stage for response and recovery operations.

 

2 fatalities occurred during the May 19 tornado in Pottawatomie County. The Oklahoma State Medical Examiner confirms Glen Irish, 79 year old while male was found on a street in the Stillman Estates addition. Billy Hutchinson, 76 year old white male was found in an overturned vehicle and transported to Norman Regional Hospital where he passed away.

 

8 injured persons were transported to St. Anthony's Shawnee Hospital for treatment. 2 injured persons were transported to Oklahoma University Medical Center in Oklahoma City for treatment.

 

Initial Damage Assessment surveys were conducted today. The results are 72 structures with minor damage, 29 structures with major damage, and 89 structures destroyed. We have 2 more housing additions to survey on Tuesday along with some isolated areas we want to check.

 

Damage to City of Shawnee assets at the Twin Lakes include: Parks/Police headquarters building destroyed; Police Patrol boat destroyed; Lake Park Pickup destroyed, Parks slope-mowing tractor destroyed, fishing dock with major damage, boat ramps with major damage.

 

The new boat dock on Lake # 2 is OK. Glenn Collins Park and the park on Lake # 2 were undamaged.

 

Shawnee Parks crews started cleaning debris from Issac Walton Park on the East side of Lake # 1. There are over 25 trees down in the park. It appears that there was no structural damage there.

 

O G and E and Canadian Valley Electric crews worked throughout the overnight hours and continued through the day today to secure and repair downed transmission lines. Oklahoma Natural Gas Company crews terminated service in the impacted areas. 

 

City of Shawnee Street crews cleared debris and trees from the roads in and around the Twin Lakes.

 

Pottawatomie County Road Crews worked to clear debris in the areas impacted in the county.

 

Governor Mary Fallin, State Insurance Commissioner John Doak, State Senators Harry Coates and Ron Sharp, and State Representatives Justin Wood and Josh Cockroft toured the most heavily damaged areas.

 

The Shawnee Economic Development Foundation staff reached out to industry to assess there status. Eaton; GE Oil and Gas; SLT; Shawnee Milling; ExxonMobil; UnitLiner; HMT; AL KO Kober; and Norwesco are reported no damages. Some employees of these corporations have homes that were damaged or destroyed.

 

The American Red Cross established a shelter at the Shawnee High School Athletic Facility. 11 persons registered on Sunday night, only 2 stayed overnight at the shelter.

 

The Pottawatomie County Health Department established an immunization trailer in the parking lot of the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition (EXPO) Center, 1700 West Independence Street to distribute free tetanus shots to those who need them. Plans are to send 2 strike teams in the field on Tuesday.

 

Insurance Commissioner Doak established a staging area for insurance companies (also at the EXPO Center) for insurance carriers to meet with clients whose property was damaged.

 

The Oklahoma Baptist General Convention disaster relief teams are performing mass feeding operations in conjunction with the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army's mobile canteen units working in the field.

 

The Baptist Convention has chain saw crews to assist the elderly, infirmed, or economically disadvantaged persons with tree debris removal. These teams may be accessed by calling 405-443-7583, 405-388-6912, or 405-415-5261.

 

Oklahoma Baptist University is offering the use of dorms for displaced persons during the summer break.

 

The Shawnee Police Animal Shelter has limited space available for pets that have been displaced from their owners because of the storm. The Shelter may be contacted at 405-878-1531.

 

The Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Absentee Shawnee Tribe, and Kickapoo Tribe have been providing services to member families affected by the disaster as well as assisting with needs of other families affected and responders to the damage areas.

 

We have been bombarded with calls from individuals, businesses, and organizations offering to help. We appreciate the generous outpouring of support. At this time, we do not need any more supplies or equipment for the immediate response effort. Those who would like to contribute to the relief can best help right now by donating money to a reputable charitable organization of their choice.  We are working to establish a hotline where individuals who wish to volunteer or contribute items can be matched with those in need. We hope to be able to announce the number on Tuesday. In the mean time, persons who want to offer assistance can call the Shawnee/Pottawatomie County Emergency Management office at 405-878-1650 or the Shawnee Fire Department at 405-878-1671.

 

The Shawnee/Pottawatomie County Emergency Operations Center is standing down operations as of 6:00 P.M. and will resume operations with limited staffing at 8:00 AM on Tuesday.

Governor Mary Fallin Signs Tax Cut into Law

Bill Also Includes Funding for State Capitol Repairs

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today signed into law a landmark income tax reduction bill.  House Bill 2032 would cut the top income tax rate from 5.25 percent to 5.0 percent on January 1, 2015. It would cut the rate further, to 4.85 percent, in 2016. Once fully realized, the tax cut would pump $237 million into the private sector.

Fallin said the income tax cut was an important tool for job creation and economic development.

“One of the first questions I get when I am talking to business owners throughout the country is, ‘if I come to Oklahoma, are you going to raise my taxes?’” Fallin said. “Passing a significant and responsible tax cut will help us to recruit these businesses and retain the ones we already have. Our tax cut will ultimately lead to more job opportunities for all Oklahomans.”

Fallin also said the tax cut will help to offset recent tax hikes enacted by the federal government.

“Oklahomans have already seen their paychecks decrease, beginning in January of this year, thanks to Washington’s tax hikes,” Fallin said. “Cutting our state income tax will help to offset that loss, and help working Oklahomans keep more of their hard-earned money.”

The second cut, bringing the rate to 4.85 percent in 2016, is contingent on total revenue growth in FY 2016 being equal to or greater than the fiscal impact of a 0.15 percent tax cut. Fallin said including that language in the bill ensures that Oklahoma does not lose the revenue it needs to fund key government services.

“We want to cut taxes responsibly,” Fallin said. “No one wants to starve state government of the resources it needs to fund priorities like education. The language of this tax cut bill was crafted in a way to ensure that we have enough growth revenue to pursue a significant tax cut.”

Finally, the bill also provides for a total of $120 million to fund repairs to the Oklahoma State Capitol beginning this year.

“The State Capitol is the ‘People’s House,’ and it has been in disrepair for far too long,” Fallin said.  “Getting the funds to repair this building in the same day we sign a tax cut into law is a victory for the people of Oklahoma.”

Speaker Shannon and Pro Tem Bingman, co-authors of HB 2032, said income tax cuts will boost the economy.

“The way you grow an economy is by letting hard working people keep more of their hard earned money,” said Shannon, R-Lawton. “Oklahoma has proven this conservative principle to be true over the past 15 years. By lowering the income tax rate, we are attracting skilled and educated workers to our state and making Oklahoma a leader in business and economic growth.”

Bingman, R-Sapulpa, said, “This is the right time to responsibly reduce the tax burden on Oklahoma families. Businesses in the private sector are looking for certainty in this economy especially with so much uncertainty coming from our nation’s capital.  By passing a tax cut now, the state of Oklahoma is sending a clear signal to businesses around the country looking to expand or relocate.  We’re committed to lower taxes, to limited government, and we are open for business.”   

Oklahoma House Passes Fiscal Year 2014 Budget

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed House Bill 2301, the General Appropriations Budget for Fiscal Year 2014.

HB 2301 outlines a conservative plan for operating state agencies while providing increases for education, health, child welfare and infrastructure. The total fiscal budget is estimated at roughly $7.2 billion.

Key funding increases will include:

-          $91 million for common education

-          $44 million for the Department of Human Services to support operations, including the implementation of the Pinnacle Plan

-          $30 million to Maintenance of State Buildings Revolving Fund and $60 million for repairs and renovation of the State Capitol

“We have successfully created a sensible budget that does not increase the tax or debt burden on the people,” said House Speaker T.W. Shannon, R-Lawton. “Oklahoma will not go down the path of other states and spend away the people’s opportunity for prosperity.”

“This legislature has a duty to uphold core government services and to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ money and infrastructure,” said Rep. Scott Martin, R-Norman. “Today’s vote shows this chamber’s commitment to investing in our children’s future with a significant increase in common education and funds to maintain the projects we have asked the people to invest in.”

HB 2301 will now move on to the Senate Floor for approval.