OPEA

Legislation to provide funding for the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission passed the Senate Appropriations Committee by a unanimous vote on Wednesday, February 18.  SB 1175 by Gary Stanislawski of Tulsa is a top legislative priority for OPEA.

“The federal funding for OESC has dwindled over the past several years,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley.  “Without this legislation, 200 to 300 positions at OESC would be eliminated.  These jobs are critical for re-employment and economic development during the recession.”

In January and early February, OPEA held meetings in OESC offices with legislators so they could learn what workers do for the economic development of their communities.  Legislators had an opportunity to visit with workers over lunch and see the operations of their local offices.  In addition, OPEA and OESC sponsored tours of the two call centers.

“The most important influences on legislators are constituents and services in their home district,” said Zearley.  “By the time this bill came up before the committee, legislators were well aware of the important services that would be lost if the bill didn’t pass.”

In addition to SB 1175, OPEA is working to pass an identical bill in the House, HB 1029.  This provides another vehicle in the process for this important issue.  The House bill should pass committee next week.