Keeping the community informed and up to date about legislation that affects businesses and individuals is the goal of the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce’s new Legislative Luncheon.

Judy Martens, Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce executive director, said all state representatives and hopefully the state senators who represent Sequoyah County will attend the luncheon. She said they would be giving their views on the outcome of the current legislative session.

Martens said if candidates want to come they are welcome, but this is strictly a legislative update on what happened in the last legislative session. She said Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Jari Askins will be attending the luncheon.

“The reason why Jari Askins has been invited as our special guest is because she is basically the top official that is involved in the legislation process. We feel very honored to get her views on the session,” Martens said.

“I look forward to visiting Sallisaw and to providing the chamber with up-to-date information about the state budget and other legislative issues. Every chamber should host a legislative luncheon to keep up with what has happened during session each year. Such forums afford small business owners and community citizens the opportunity to ask questions directly of their leaders, and to voice needs and concerns openly,” Askins said.

Martens said because this past legislative year has been so tumultuous due to the budget shortfalls, the chamber feels its necessary to hold this special luncheon to bring the inquisitive public up to date on what to expect for this next year. She said this is not meant for candidates to campaign and she is hoping candidates will understand.

“We want to make it clear, this is not a campaign time. If candidates want to come they can but they are not allowed to bring any type of campaign information. This is strictly a legislative up date,” Martens said.

Martens said the luncheon would be held Tuesday at the People Inc. Conference Center at 204 S. J.T. Stites Blvd. She said chamber members would get extra benefits for purchasing a table and attending. Some of the benefits include are being listed in the program during the luncheon as a corporate sponsor, a table plaque printed with the member’s business name, recognition from the podium by Dale Wood, chamber president, and upon request members will have local, county or state dignitaries seated at the table.

She said corporate tables of eight would be sold for $100. The luncheon will begin at noon. Martens said individuals who are interested in attending could purchase tickets for $8 each. Individual ticket holders will be seated at non-corporate tables labeled chamber guests.

To purchase corporate tables or make inquires about the event call Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce at (918) 775-2558.