OPEN DOOR POLICY FEB 17 by Rep Joe Dorman

     The state legislature received some good news this week as oil and gas revenue collections improved slightly.  This gives the legislature a little more money to appropriate for the session and will reduce the need for some of the cuts.  Out of the projections, the legislature would need to reduce $1.3 billion for the budget to be balanced.  The increased projections, according to State Treasurer Scott Meacham, will have about $60 million for the current fiscal year and about $120 million for FY-11, the budget we are currently trying to resolve.  This will help ease some of the burden, but it will still be a difficult discussion on where cuts must be made with the shortfall.

     I have been disappointed that more involvement has not happened with budget meetings.  The process has not been open for the budget committee members at this point, much less the entire legislature.  Haggling has occurred behind closed doors on which areas will be cut and which will receive assistance.  I’m hoping that there will be more open discussion as we progress in session.  To be fair, this process has always been done by a few members of the leadership even when the Democrats were in control, but I was hoping things would change with the Republicans in charge.  That was always one of their gripes when they were in the minority, and now it is the same criticism by the Democratic members.

     On Monday, I was honored to have several FFA chapters visit the Capitol.  Students from Cement, Central High, Elgin, Fletcher and Rush Springs had lunch with me in one of the committee rooms and we were able to discuss issues, from the bill I filed to exempt their membership from school absences to the impact of the budget cuts.  It is always a pleasure to have this group visit as they truly are concerned with public policy and civic responsibility.

      I also had the chance to visit with the Oklahoma Youth & Government conference at the State Capitol.  Students from this organization, sponsored by YMCA’s from around the state, descended upon the Capitol on Thursday and Friday to discuss ideas for legislation they prepared and debated on the floor of the House and the Senate.  I’m proud to serve on their statewide advisory council and was pleased with the discussion and questions they presented to me.

     Another event I was privileged to attend was the Ardmore Chamber Legislative Luncheon.  I was invited by Rep. Samson Buck and served on the panel with him, Rep. Pat Ownbey and Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield.  This helped prepare me for the upcoming Chickasha and Lawton Legislative Luncheons which will be in the next few weeks.

     Finally, I want to congratulate Pastor Kip Ackley and the congregation of Calvary Temple Church in Cyril for their grand opening on Sunday.  It was a pleasure to be present for their first service in their new building and it was a wonderful day of celebration.  I am thankful for their dedication and their service to the community.>p>

     It is an honor to represent your views at the State Capitol. If you wish to contact me and discuss one of these or another issue, I can be reached at my office in Oklahoma City toll-free at 1-800-522-8502, or directly at 1-405-557-7305.  My e-mail address is joedorman@okhouse.gov at work. My mailing address is PO Box 559, Rush Springs, OK 73082 and my website is www.joedorman.com on the Internet. Thank you for taking time to read this column and I look forward to seeing you soon.