I will be holding the first of my three approved interim studies at the Capitol later this week and am looking forward to the presentations.  The focus of this study will look at disaster plans in place at assisted living facilities and nursing homes and also the number of facilities with generators currently on hand.  Maryland is the only state in the nation to require generators as backup power for facilities, and that is only required of facilities with 50 or more individuals on premises and waivers are offered for those showing hardship.  The Oklahoma Department of Health is currently assessing the facilities and they have reviewed 133 of the 139 to this point.  Of those, 89 have generators on hand, which was much better than I expected.  I'm looking forward to learning more about this issue and hope we can get something into the law to protect Oklahomans who use these facilities.

 

    The Southwest Oklahoma Impact Coalition hosted a forum which was an excellent opportunity to hear from the candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and State Superintendent of Public Instruction.  We have great choices on the ballot this year, so I hope all those registered voters will pay attention to the issues and make their vote count this year.  We are seeing the process go through review in Caddo County with two close run-offs and it is good that the candidates have the option to verify results through a manual recount.  We are fortunate to have one of the best voting systems in the United States currently and also have the opportunity for a verification system on the results.  I was honored to author the legislation to allow provisional ballots to allow for a voter to cast their ballot and have it verified should there be a mistake on the rolls.  It was interesting to learn more about our electoral system when presenting this change in the law.

 

     It was busy last week as we saw several great events in our area.  I had the chance to speak to the matriculation ceremony for the incoming freshman class at USAO.  I provided them with insight to help them with their college careers.  I encouraged them to get involved with activities, but also to not forget why they are attending college.  I advised them to not take too many things serious and to work hard towards a career where they have a passion for bettering not only themselves, but their surrounding community, state and the world.  I wish them the best of luck and I also informed them I will term out of the legislature in four years, so I will be competing with them for a job at that point.  

 

    I also was able to attend the 90th birthday party for Virginia Edwards of Cyril and the 50th wedding anniversary of Pat and Bernice Shipman from Rush Springs.  Both parties were great and well-attended by their friends and family.  The Oklahoma 4-H Foundation met and discussed issues for the upcoming year, including our golf tournament on October 11 at Oak Tree Golf Club.  Contact me if you would like to assist with this event.  On Monday, I dropped by the Caddo County Fair and it looks like it will be a great event this week and  then I escorted Sen. Susan Paddack on a tour of Elgin Schools, followed by speaking to the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature at the University of Oklahoma.

 

     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.