Local state legislators recently reviewed bills passed in the last legislative session and updated residents on obstacles the state is currently facing at a Wednesday Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce meeting.

More than 55 people attended the meeting to hear State Rep. Glen "Bud" Smithson (D-Sallisaw) and State Sen. Kenneth Corn (D-Poteau).

Smithson and Corn reviewed bills passed in the last legislative session. Corn also talked about the need for a special session to remedy the understaffing in prisons across the state.

Smithson listed and gave a brief summary of a variety of bills that he and Corn helped pass during the last session, from issues addressing public safety to education.

Bills Reviewed

Smithson said a bill was passed that allows the reinstatement of driver's licenses for those participating in drug court, an alternative to prison time for drug offenders. Smithson said Special District Judge Dennis Sprouse in Sallisaw, who is the judge overseeing the county's drug court program, brought the problem to the legislators' attention. Corn said previously, those in drug court lost their license as part of their conviction, but were required, as part of the drug court program, to get a job and be active in the community. Smithson said by not allowing them to have a driver's license, participants were handicapped. Smithson said this law helps the drug court program, which is proven to be successful across the state.

Smithson said House Bill 1243 exempts property owners from being liable for an employee who stores a firearm in their vehicle on the property owner's parking lot, while Senate Bill 901 affects people who illegally park in handicapped parking spaces. Smithson said the bill allows those who are handicap to have the car towed at the owner's expense if the owner is caught parking in spaces without a proper handicap permit.

Owners of all-terrain vehicles (ATV) must now purchase a one-time tag since a law was passed. Smithson said the tag costs about $15, and will aid in the recovery of stolen ATVs.

Smithson said legislators provided an income tax return check-off, which allows those filing returns to donate money to the Oklahoma National Guard to establish a relief fund for families of guardsmen called to duty. The check-off is tax deductible, Smithson noted.

The state also declared Feb. 6 as President Ronald Reagan Day and named strawberries as the state's official fruit.

Corn

Corn said this year was a good year for public education. He said Sallisaw and Sequoyah County will benefit from a higher education bond package passed, which allows for expansions at Carl Albert State College (CASC) in Poteau and Sallisaw.

Corn said public education also got the largest appropriation ever in the state, part of which will be used for continued teacher pay increases.

He said the big bill for December will be a $45 tax rebate check that all residents will receive. Corn said the governor says the check is a good Christmas present.

Corn reviewed the cutback on what legislators call special project money. In the past, Corn said legislators could put money aside to help communities with a variety of things.

Corn said the House decided that it is not the state's responsibility to help those communities with special project money, and tried to take away all the special project money. He said they ended up coming to an agreement, reducing the amount from $11 million to $3 million, but Gov. Brad Henry vetoed the bill, leaving no money to help communities. Corn assured residents they will be going back in the next session to get that money back.

Corn said the Department of Corrections plan is at the top of their agenda for an anticipated special session. Corn said 23 percent of prisons are currently understaffed, and prisons are paying their employees poverty wages.

Corn said prison escapes are up this year, and he noted that there was at least one escape in every prison in the state this year, which is a first in the state's history. He said there was also an increase in assaults in prisons.

"It's a very dangerous problem we face," he said. "Inmates are allowing us to run the prisons."

Corn gave an example of that problem. He said the Jim E. Hamilton Correctional Center near Hodgen holds 400 inmates, but today has 700. There are only 11 correctional officers on a shift, Corn said.

Corn said he expects the Senate to return to deal with that issue next week and he hopes the House will also come back.

Corn addressed the rising cost of fuel. He said state agencies, including the highway patrol, will all be requiring supplemental budgets to cover fuel costs.

Bill Baker, Sallisaw city manager, asked about the state measure up for election concerning a new tax on gasoline.

"Rep. Smithson and I did not put that on the ballot," Corn said. He said the election is set for Sept. 13, but Corn said he has done an unofficial poll and has found no supporters for the taxes.

Other Business

Jeff Mayo, chamber president, said there will be free dump days from Oct. 12 through the 15 at the Sallisaw dump, as part of the Sequoyah County Visioning Committee's Keep Sequoyah County Beautiful Campaign.

Mayo reviewed changes in sections of the chamber's by-laws, and ballots were passed out to members to vote on the changes.

Those changes refer to an increase in the number of directors on the board and how the board members are appointed and voted on in the future.

Mayo also said the plans for the chamber's spring festival are underway. Judy Martens, executive vice president, said a festival committee meeting will be held at noon Tuesday for those who would like to be involved.

The next chamber membership meeting will be held at CASC's Sallisaw campus, and CASC President Joe White will be the special speaker.