Sen. George Young announces slate of Interim Studies focusing on racial equity
Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – Of the 71 interim study requests approved by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat early this month, five were requested by state Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City.
The series of studies would give senators the opportunity to delve into topics such as racial equality, health disparities in the African American community, minority-owned businesses and funding for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU).
“Our nation is at a turning point in the fight for racial equality, and it’s more important than ever that every state and community take a look at what we can do to bring about true equity for our minority communities,” Young said.
“These studies will take a deep dive into some of the most pressing issues facing the Black community – health care, education, entrepreneurship and more. I appreciate the Pro Tem for approving these studies and look forward to learning more about what Oklahoma can do to make our state a better place to live for minority communities.”
The five studies requested by Senator Young include:
• Health disparities in the African American community and social determinants of health: a study into the indicators and determinate factors of the healthcare shortage in Oklahoma, as well as the areas contributing to the state’s health disparities.
• Equitable procurement for minority and women-owned businesses: a study into the resources and legislation needed to support economic health and minority and female-owned businesses across the state.
• Historically Black colleges and universities funding: a study diving into the need for support and investment for Langston University, the only HBCU in the state. The study aims to look at the resources needed to enhance infrastructure, renovations, repairs, campus facilities, instructional research, residential spaces, reliable high-speed broadband access and long-term technological capacity.
• Race and equality: a study into equality issues related to racial discrimination and bias, state agencies, employees, communities, organizations and businesses in the state.
• Community (racial) impact – a study on the impact of certain legislation on particular community and racial entities: a dive into how proposed legislation impacts the incarceration rates of certain demographics and burgeoning Department of Corrections numbers.
The studies have been assigned to the Health and Human Services; Business, Commerce and Tourism; Appropriations and Rules committees.
“I’m excited for the opportunity for my colleagues to hear from experts in these areas about how we can make Oklahoma a ‘Top 10’ state for minority communities,” Young said.
“We can’t move forward as a state unless all of us are working together, and I know there are things we could address legislatively to steer us in the right direction.”
The number of approved studies is unusually high. In 2020, Pro Tempore Treat 64 requests from Senators, approved 39 of those to proceed. (https://ift.tt/3kafoKP)
For the 2021 interim process, 72 requests were initially submitted, but one was withdrawn. Treat then gave approval to all 71 submitted. (https://ift.tt/3yXJhT3)
Although the studies were approved by Senate leadership, they now must be assigned a hearing date by each respective committee chair in order to be heard. These dates will be posted online at www.oksenate.gov.
All studies must be concluded by Friday, Nov. 5.
NOTE: Pat McGuigan contributed additional analysis for this report, which is drawn from a legislative staff release.
Sen. George Young announces slate of Interim Studies focusing on racial equity Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
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Rep. Ajay Pittman of Oklahoma City secures bipartisan support for bottle service bill: Updated7/10/2021
Patrick B. McGuigan, July 8, 2021
(expanded from a June 22 report)
https://ift.tt/3kcGfpw
OKLAHOMA CITY (updated July 8) – A new law allowing small businesses to offer bottle service to customers in Oklahoma -- sponsored by state Rep. Ajay Pittman, D-Oklahoma City, -- took effect last month without much fanfare.
House Bill 2726 quietly gathered steam in the final weeks of the recent spring session of the Legislature.
In March, Pittman said the bill “was a request bill from many small businesses in my district and throughout Oklahoma City. What we are doing is creating parity with what other states offer and what consumers want. Economic Development was at the top of my list of priorities when we started this journey, now we can see how we can restore our business communities from multiple things that challenge their success.”
The legislation, Pittman and other advocates say, does not encourage alcohol consumption nor does it remove safeguards to limit alcohol-linked incidents.
Pittman said, “This legislation isn’t about alcohol as much as it is about helping small businesses in House District 99 and throughout Oklahoma. This legislation will add a second layer of safety for families or patrons that gather in support of our professional sports teams and other celebrations.”
As the legislation worked its way through the committee and floor consideration process, it garnered co-sponsors. In the House, state Reps. Merleyn Bell, D-Norman, and Dean Davis, R-Broken Arrow, became co-authors. The measure’s Senate author was Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City.
The measure was amended to add an emergency clause, allowing it to go into effect immediately upon final approval.
H.B. 2726 passed the House in April by a wide bipartisan majority.
In the end, 68 House members voted yes, with 26 opposed and seven not voting.
On May 5, the measure sailed through the Senate 40-7, with one member not voting.
(https://ift.tt/3e53pu6 )
Updating June 22 story:
Through a June 23 legislative press release, Rep. Pittman was able to celebrate enactment of her proposal. “This legislation will have a positive economic impact for Oklahoma, in our major metro areas especially the businesses in in Bricktown, Chisholm Creek, Norman, Stillwater, Tulsa, and Lawton,” she said.
“Our business owners can use all the help they can get, after having a really hard year in sales and service. I’m grateful that we were able to get this done.”
Pittman said she was “pleased with the bipartisanship work that was accomplished to get this bill passed.” Continuing, the second-term House member said, “When I ran for office, economic development for Oklahoma and my district were at the top of my priorities. I am going to continue the fight to empower our communities to grow in a way that helps business owners and their employees be competitive.”
Pittman’s co-sponsor, Sen. Coleman, released a statement saying, “Bottle service is becoming more popular in other states especially with younger people. To remain competitive, I was eager to help pass legislation allowing bottle service in Oklahoma. Our hospitality industry needs every tool in the box to help recover from the pandemic.”
Jeff Rogers, owner of Rogers Concepts, commented, “Oklahoma has developed tremendously in so many ways. The addition of bottle service will be another step in the right direction. Not only economically, but for bars, restaurants and nightlife in general.”
Rep. Bell, the House Democratic co-sponsor, reflected: “Bottle service provides an exciting new opportunity – not just for those who enjoy the nightlife but for local businesses as well, who will now have another way to engage their customers. It’s a win-win especially in a vibrant, college town like Norman.”
Pittman complimented the state’s Republican chief executive for supporting the measure, saying, “Governor Stitt said his goal is to ensure that Oklahoma becomes a top ten state. He took a bold step to help our economy.”
Gov. Kevin Stitt’s signature added Rep. Pittman’s revisions to the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Control Act as state law, with immediate effect.
Rep. Ajay Pittman of Oklahoma City secures bipartisan support for bottle service bill: Updated Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Ryan Haynie
Last Sunday, July 4, was our nation’s Independence Day — a day on which we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration is probably best known for its declaration of natural rights where the founders proclaimed “that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Often ignored is the next sentence which states that governments exist to protect these God-given rights.
But there is another part that gets even less attention, and that’s what I want to focus on here. No one ever seems to read the section listing the colonies’ grievances. If you ask people why the colonies declared their independence, you’re likely to hear they were tired of taxation without representation. Or you may hear the colonies didn’t appreciate the quartering of British soldiers in their homes.
Unless you’re talking to a lawyer, you’re not likely to hear the colonies were upset with Great Britain “[f]or depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Jury trial.” But it was a problem serious enough to include in the list of grievances.
Accordingly, when the founders set up a new government under the Constitution, they set out to protect the jury trial. I worry that the founders’ view of what the promise of a jury trial should look like is lost in modern America.
Below are two problems I see with the modern jury trial in light of its importance to the founders.
The first problem is simply the rarity of criminal jury trials. Article III of the Constitution states “[t]he Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment; shall be by Jury.” For years that meant the accused could not even waive this requirement and request a bench trial (trial in front of a judge only). Today, the overwhelming majority of criminal convictions are not the result of either a jury or bench trial.
According to a law review article (https://ift.tt/3wxHT83) by Clark Neily of the Cato Institute, plea bargaining was unknown to the founders. Neily says the importance of trial by jury was one of the few things the Federalists and Anti-Federalists agreed on.
Another law review article (https://ift.tt/2Vucjet), this one co-authored by my former Criminal Procedure professor, Stephen E. Henderson, argues that having most criminal convictions take place without any participation by a jury is “anathema to our Founding vision, in which jury service would not only be a civic duty but a regularized hedge against tyranny — a routine and democratic check on our institutions of law enforcement.”
Surely Prof. Henderson is right. The men who wrote the Declaration would roll over in their graves if they saw what the right to trial by jury has become.
Another, admittedly controversial, change to the jury trial system deals with nullification or “conscientious acquittal”. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoHKmkgfaB0) To understand how this plays into the Declaration of Independence, a story from history is helpful.
One of the more famous trials of colonial America is the trial of John Peter Zenger (https://www.famous-trials.com/zenger/87-home). Zenger was a printer who began printing material critical of the local New York governor. To squash this, the governor sought to have Zenger tried for “seditious libel.” Unlike modern law, truth was not a defense to libel in colonial America (under English law). At his trial, Zenger’s lawyer stated that Zenger did not deny publishing the material. He argued, in effect, the law was unjust. The jury made up of Americans acquitted Zenger.
In response to this “nullification,” King George began setting up his own courts and expanding their authority. These courts did not utilize juries but were run by judges appointed by King George. This is one reason the founders believed it necessary to include trial by jury (or lack thereof) as a reason for separation.
The founders believed that trial by jury was “the very palladium of free government.” And they believed that jury service carried with it the power of nullification or conscientious acquittal.
Current court precedent still recognizes the power of nullification but does not allow it as a right. Judges routinely deny jury instructions on the subject, and lawyers are rarely allowed to argue it.
On every Independence Day weekend, we would do well to consider giving this power more teeth. What better way to ensure participation and safeguard liberty than to empower juries to be injustice preventers — not just finders of fact.
So, each and every year: Happy Independence Day!
NOTE: Haynie’s article was first posted at the Oklahoma Council of Public Policy (OCPA) website, here: https://www.ocpathink.org/post/the-declaration-and-the-state-of-jury-trials-in-america. It is reposted here with permission. Haynie is Criminal Justice Reform Fellow at OCPA.
The Declaration and the State of Jury Trials in America Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK Senator David Bullard joined by many GOP colleages urges full implementation of House Bill 17757/9/2021
CapitolBeatOK Staff Report
On July 7, Sen. David Bullard released the following statement calling on State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister to take immediate action to fully implement House Bill 1775 at the Monday, July 12, State Board of Education meeting.
During the 2021 legislative session, the state legislature passed H.B. 1775, for which Bullard served as the Senate principal author, to stop race and sex discrimination in Oklahoma schools, and ensure that students are not characterized, classified, categorically assigned characteristics, or shamed based solely on their race or sex.
While House Bill 1775 does not specifically reference “critical race theory,” the bill does prohibit the use of discriminatory tenets and practices being taught in classrooms around the state. H.B. 1775, which went into effect July 1, directs the Oklahoma State Board of Education to promulgate rules to ensure the expedient and appropriate implementation of the law.
“Throughout history, there are countless examples of brave Americans who fought against injustices and sought to ensure freedom and liberty for all people. There is no better example than that of Harriet Tubman. A former slave, she worked to escape bondage — only to return and commit her life to freeing slaves from captivity. She said, of her life’s work: ‘I freed a thousand slaves, I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.’ Much like our nation’s past heroes, especially heroes like Harriet Tubman, we must challenge evil wherever it hides.
“There are many in the Oklahoma Legislature who believe that teaching 'truth' is freedom. So many, however, do not realize the trap, the indoctrination and lies perpetuated on students through the required acceptance of the principles of critical race theory.
“We call upon Superintendent Hofmeister and the State Board of Education to move without delay to adopt rules at Monday’s special State Board of Education meeting. Rules implementing H.B. 1775 are necessary to ensure that accuracy, transparency, and truthfulness are the foundational principles of Oklahoma’s education system — not indoctrination and discrimination.
“Even more importantly, Oklahoma teachers deserve to know how H.B. 1775 will be implemented for the 2021-22 school year; they need clarity on how the State Board of Education will enforce this law prior to the start of the school year. Likewise, parents and students have a right to know how this bill will be implemented in their child’s classroom.
“Oklahoma’s children are not defined by their sex or the color of their skin. HB 1775 ensures that every child has a right to attend school free from race or sex-based discrimination and the State Superintendent has a duty to ensure this law is implemented with fidelity.
NOTE: As of Thursday afternoon, 17 Republican senators had joined Sen. Bullard, R-Durant, in urging the State Board of Education and State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister to fully implement provisions of House Bill 1775 at their special school board meeting Monday. The senators include Mark Allen, R-Spiro, Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, George Burns, R-Pollard, Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, Shane Jett, R-Shawnee, James Leewright, R-Bristow, Jake Merrick, R-Yukon, Casey Murdock, R-Felt, Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, Cody Rogers, R-Tulsa, Frank Simpson, R-Springer, Rob Standridge, R-Norman, Blake Stephens, R-Tahlequah, Zack Taylor, R-Seminole, and Darrell Weaver, R-Moore.
Senator David Bullard, joined by many GOP colleages, urges full implementation of House Bill 1775 Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
CapitolBeatOK Staff Report
More than 70 interim studies have been approved by Senate leadership, and among them are two by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond.
The Senate Education Committee chairman and member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education wants to study teacher credentialing and certification as well as COVID’s impact on learning outcomes and what the state can do to overcome any negative effects.
“With thousands of bills to consider and vote on during session, along with crafting the state budget, we simply don’t have enough time to research complex issues, so interim studies play a critical role in the legislative process,” Pugh said.
“Two of my concerns are figuring out how to get more teachers in the classroom and getting students back on track academically after the school closures last year and virtual classes. I’m anxious to hear from educators, parents, students and other educational experts about these issues and how we can further improve our educational system while attracting more professionals to our classrooms.”
Pugh said the two studies will take place in early fall. While the teacher credentialing study will be conducted by the Senate Education Committee, the academic impact of COVID-19 will be a joint study with the House Education Committee and chairwoman, Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon.
Pugh is currently seeking public input on the two issues as well as looking for administrators, teachers and other educational experts to participate in the two hearings.
A Senate Staff Press release sent to news organizations, including CapitolBeatOK.com, issued a request for participation: “If you’re interested in participating or sharing your ideas or concerns, please contact his office at (405) 521-5622 or [email protected].”
Senate interim studies must be completed by Friday, November 5.
Senator Adam Pugh of Edmond to hold interim studies on teacher certification and learning outcomes post-COVID Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
CapitolBeatOK Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat recently announced the approval of all requests for interim studies submitted by Oklahoma Senate members.
Senators submitted 72 interim study requests; one request was withdrawn.
Pro Tem Treat, R-Oklahoma City, assigned interim study requests to Senate committees with jurisdiction over the subject matter of the request. Treat said committee chairs will determine when and if the interim studies assigned to their committee will be held.
For a complete list of approved interim study requests, cut and paste this link: https://oksenate.gov/publications/senate-interim-studies.
Treat said all interim studies must be completed by close of business Friday, Nov. 5.
“There were a wide variety of subject matters requested for in-depth study from members of the Senate. I know these hearings will explore important topics and will be useful and productive for the Senate and its members,” Treat said.
Meeting notices will be sent by Senate committees when interim studies are scheduled for hearings.
Meeting notices also will be published on the Senate’s website (www.oksenate.gov).
Interim study hearings will be live-streamed on the Senate website.
CapitolBeatOK.com will monitor the scheduling and themes of the 2021 Interim Studies.
Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat announces approved interim study requests Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK Sen. Murdock Rep. Newton call on governor to delay closing of William S. Key Correctional Center7/9/2021
CapitolBeatOK Staff Report
Saying too many questions remain unanswered, Oklahoma State Senator Casey Murdock, R-Felt, and State Representative Carl Newton, R-Cherokee, are calling on Gov. Kevin Stitt to delay closing the William S. Key Correctional Center until it can be determined exactly how much shuttering the facility will cost.
The lawmakers said they still had questions after a recent Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the closure.
“We need time to ask the questions representatives from the Department of Corrections didn’t know the answers to,” Murdock said.
“The governor signed off thinking they had a plan and I don’t think he had all the information needed. What we got out of that meeting was a whole lot of ‘I don’t knows.’ Why are they rushing the closing of this prison when they don’t know how much this is going to cost the taxpayers of this state? We need to slow this train down.”
Murdock noted the Department of Corrections is currently paying $19 million a year just in overtime. He said if some officers retire or quit rather than transfer to another facility, that could worsen staffing shortages and increase overtime costs. When legislators asked how much this closure would cost in retirement benefits, moving employees and unemployment insurance, officials from DOC said they didn’t know. While DOC estimated a savings of $1.3 million to $1.5 million, Murdock said he wanted to know what the net savings would be once the cost of laying people off was factored in.
Legislators also asked about $17 million in bond money that had previously been allocated to the prison for necessary repairs — ultimately that money was used in other facilities. When asked about that decision, DOC Director Scott Crow said he was not director at that time. However, Murdock noted Crow was chief operating officer of the agency when the decision to use the money elsewhere was made.
Murdock also felt legislators were misled in the hearing. When asked how many prisoners had already been transferred within the last week, Crow said only the normal transfer of prisoners had occurred.
“There are regular transfers that occur, but in the weeks before this announcement there were about 700 inmates at the prison, and they shipped out 300 in just the last month. That’s not normal, and I question whether what we were told was even remotely accurate,” Murdock said.
If we were misled in that meeting, I have to wonder if the governor was also misled when he was asked to sign off on the prison closure. If this decision was based on bad information, are we really doing what’s best for this state?”
Newton said he too is concerned with the implications of closing the William S. Key Correctional Center.
“I join Senator Murdock and our fellow lawmakers in concerns over the financial impact of this rushed decision,” Newton said. “I would like the department to slow down and let us look more thoroughly at the full implications of the potential closure of this facility and the effect it will have on our communities in northwest Oklahoma."
Sen. Murdock, Rep. Newton call on governor to delay closing of William S. Key Correctional Center Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – On July 30, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy’s annual Heroes Ball – celebrating Oklahoma’s heroes for children – will be held across two venues and virtually on the Zoom platform.
The Oklahoma City venue for the evening will The Skirvin Hilton Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City. The Tulsa venue will be in the Greenwood area as this year’s Heroes Ball will pay tribute to those lost and forever changed by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
The two venues will both have speakers and will simulcast between each other as well as webcast to those who attend remotely across the Zoom platform.
The 2020 Heroes Ball was conducted at the height of the pandemic and was fully virtual as it was webcast across the Zoom platform. That effort exceeded expectations and earned OICA the national award for “Best Virtual Event” conducted in 2020.
The primary goal of the Heroes Ball is to honor those who have made a difference in the lives of Oklahoma’s children.
“Because there are so many wonderful advocates out there working on behalf of children, we want to give the people a chance to weigh in on the awards,” said Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO. “That is why we have the Anne Roberts People’s Choice Awards for an individual and an organization standing up for the state’s children.”
The Anne Roberts People’s Choice Awards are named for Anne Roberts, the longest-serving executive director of OICA. “Anne remains a tireless advocate for children and a valuable resource for our organization as we navigate today’s challenges,” Dorman said. “We are grateful she has allowed her name to be associated with the People’s Choice Child Advocacy Award.”
Last year’s individual winner of the Anne Roberts People’s Choice Award was Ryan Abernathy of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. He was honored for leading childhood hunger initiatives for the food bank and his continued advocacy for organizations and agencies who serve children.
Diabetes Solutions of Oklahoma was the winner of the organizational People’s Choice award for the organization’s commitment and support to families with children recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The nonprofit teaches parents how to care for children with diabetes and gives educational opportunities to families through its summer camp programming and other social gatherings.
Tickets and sponsorships for the 2021 Heroes Ball are available – but reportedly selling quickly.
For more information about the Heroes Ball or to find out how you can help OICA continue its mission of fighting for Oklahoma’s children, go to the website at www.oica.org or call 405-236-KIDS (5437).
To purchase tickets for the Oklahoma City venue visit:
https://ift.tt/3r1vpnH
To purchase tickets for the Tulsa venue visit:
https://ift.tt/36r0FU0
OICA supporters have made nominations for individuals or organizations to receive a People’s Choice award. Online voting to choose winners will begin once the nominations are approved by the OICA Board of Directors.
NOTE: Editor Pat McGuigan contributed to this report.
Oklahoma Institute for Child Policy schedules ‘Heroes Ball’ on July 30 Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Steve Fair
Does civic engagement or political involvement really make a difference? Do elected officials (at any level) listen to the average citizen or do they heed only their close advisors and/or their donor base? Is the U.S. political system driven purely by money? What is the function of a political Party? These are frequently asked questions.
Let’s briefly examine each.
First, being involved in civic life does make a difference.
Engaging in politics can mean different things to different people. It can run the spectrum from watching political news shows, studying political science, voting, becoming a candidate for office, volunteering on a political campaign, to having a career in consulting, strategy or public relations. Political activists, no matter their Party affiliation, who have been engaged for years move the needle. They have established a track record of staying engaged and elected officials usually don’t ignore them.
Second, elected officials listen to those who hold them accountable.
That starts with citizens showing up, whether it’s a town hall meeting, campaign event or a public appearance. The world is run by those that show up.
Elected officials should be delighted, elated, and ecstatic to respectfully explain a vote or position on an issue to their constituency. It is logical elected officials listen to those who help them get elected (donors/campaign advisors), but constituents who challenge elected official’s votes and positions are hard to ignore. Without accountability from an informed constituency, elected officials can become intelligently lazy, unconcerned and complacent.
Third, money is the mother’s milk of politics.
Political campaigns, at all levels, cost an incredible amount of money. Few candidates can self-fund, so they by necessity solicit donations from individuals, industry associations, and advocacy groups to pay for their campaign. Virtually every campaign contribution comes with ‘strings,’ whether the candidate recognizes it or not. Those big donors expect the candidate, when elected, to listen to them- and they do or they don’t get a second check. All donors are not corrupt and they have the right to lobby an elected official, same as other citizens. Sadly, sometimes elected officials forget they represent an entire constituency/district, not just those who donated to their campaign or voted for them.
Fourth, a political Party provides infrastructure for candidates.
Elected officials sometimes say they don’t believe their Party does anything for them.That is simply not true. The Party provides a ‘brand,’ an ‘identity’ for a candidate. If a candidate/elected official truly believes a Party doesn’t do anything for them, perhaps they should run as an Independent the next time they file for office. Having the Party label helps a candidate- it gets them the base vote.
Sadly, political Parties are often maligned and attacked by those not involved in Party politics.
Long term political Party volunteers unselfishly give of their time, talent and treasure, not because of the glamorous, alluring nature of the job. They stay involved because they care about the cause. They should be respected and commended for their faithfulness, not attacked, criticized and belittled by those who just woke up from their apathic deep sleep, decided to get involved and blame all the problems with politics on those who have been involved longer than fifteen minutes.
Vigilance is the action or state of keeping careful watch for possible damage or difficulties. The vigilant are alert and attentive for an extended period of time. John Philpot Curran said, “The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt.”
Sadly, the scarcity of vigilance by everyday Americans to be involved in their own government has placed them in servitude to that government.
NOTE: Steve Fair is a conservative commentator Oklahoma Republican Party leader. His articles frequently appear on the CapitolBeatOK.com website.
Servitude to the Government: A Commentary Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Staff Report
Oklahoma City Animal Welfare is waiving fees for a final weekend this Saturday and Sunday, July 10-11, for dog and cat adoptions to clear space at its overcrowded shelter and save lives.
The shelter is nearly at full capacity for cats and 166 percent capacity for dogs after a wave of incoming homeless pets this spring and summer. Making room for more dogs and cats in the shelter is needed to save lives. (https://ift.tt/3kfjFwT)
“We’ve been waiving adoption fees for a while this summer, and it has helped ease the most severe overcrowding. But we really need to clear the shelter this weekend and give us some breathing room to take in more animals and save more lives,” said Animal Welfare Superintendent Jon Gary.
“It’s the perfect time to welcome a pet into your home if you’re ready for it. With so many adoptable animals in the shelter, everyone can find a good fit.”
All adoptable animals (https://www.okc.gov/departments/animal-welfare/programs-and-services/adoptions?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery) at Oklahoma City Animal Welfare are up-to-date on vaccinations, microchipped, treated for worms and spayed or neutered.
The Oklahoma City Animal Welfare – 2811 S.E. 29th Street – is open for adoptions from noon to 5:30 p.m. every day but holidays.
For more information, visit okc.gov/animalwelfare or call (405) 297-3100.
Clear the shelter: Free dog and cat adoptions this weekend at overcrowded Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK |
Pat McGuiganThe dean of all Oklahoma Journalism, Mr Patrick McGuigan; has a rich history of service in many aspects of both covering the news and producing the information that the public needs to know. Archives
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