The Oklahoma Public Employees Association (OPEA) honored Sen. Dewayne Pemberton (Senate District Nine) as one of its 2019 Legislators of the Year. The association selected Sen. Pemberton because of his perfect voting record on issues important to state employees and his support of active and retired state employees in his district. Sen. Pemberton was the senate author of the bill to grant retired state employees a Cost of Living Adjustment and to increase their representation on the state employee pension board. The presentation was made August 23rd during OPEA’s annual convention at The Lodge at Sequoyah State Park.
“Sen. Pemberton excelled at working with active and retired state employees in his district, especially in regards to improving state agency working conditions. His ability to join together with other area legislators to make positive changes is greatly appreciated by our members,” said OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley.
“I am and both honored and privileged to receive this award from OPEA. My commitment to our state employees for the great work they do is steadfast,” Pemberton said.
OPEA is Oklahoma’s largest organization advocating for state employees and retirees and its members work to support state agency employment and state agency services. It was established in 1975 and has approximately 8,000 members across the state.
