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Legislators, State Employees Tackle Tough Questions at Norman Town Hall Meeting

 

An overflow crowd filled a recent Town Hall meeting in Norman where state employees asked local legislators some tough questions.

 

 

More than 60 state employees from OPEA District 6 attended a Town Hall meeting and chili supper in Norman Thursday.

 

Legislators included Representatives Wallace Collins and Randy Terrill, as well as Senator John Sparks.  Representative Scott Martin was scheduled to attend, but was absent due to the birth of a child on Wednesday.

 

“We opened a meaningful dialogue with our legislators,” said OPEA Research and Policy Director Trish Frazier.  “The Norman area has been especially hard-hit with the potential closure of NADTC and CRC, as well as the down-sizing of Griffin.  This meeting allowed state employees to talk to the legislators and ask them some tough questions.”

 

Most questions were about the state budget crisis, and what the lawmakers plan to do about funding core functions of government.

 

The chili supper was organized by OPEA Board member and former OPEA president Dixie Jackson.

Posted on Fri, January 15, 2010 by Mark Beutler

4 comments (Add your own)

1. Dixie wrote:
Just want to say thank you to the local legislators who attended and were willing to spend time with our members after the meeting to address member's personal questions. We really appreciate all of you.
I want to say thanks to those members who showed up and helped out with this event. No event happens wthout the support of our members. So thank you Susan Adams, Lydia Hilton, Charla Young, Dawn Killian, Ken Loffer for helping out. Also, thank you OPEA staff members that were there to help with tables, chairs, etc.
We need to continue to let our voices be heard and this is just one avenue that works we..

Sat, January 16, 2010 @ 10:32 AM

2. Dixie wrote:
I forgot to express my thanks to Board Member, Tom Dunning for his willingness to attend and be our photographer. Thanks so much Tom.
Another Board member , Glenn Hightower, also took his time to attend

Sat, January 16, 2010 @ 12:58 PM

3. State Employee wrote:
I'd like to know what questions were asked and how the legislators answered.

Sat, January 16, 2010 @ 11:24 PM

4. Lance wrote:
I think most members at the State Capitol could care less about State Employees and their welfare. They probably like to keep us underpaid so we can go to work part-time to make ends meet, and they don't have to pay us benefits working for their businesses outside the Capitol. Just an observation from past experience. Wallace Collins and Randy Terrill are dedicated public servants who practice what they learn on Sunday mornings. Hats off to you and fellow lawmkers like you.

Tue, January 19, 2010 @ 2:56 PM

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