Oklahoma
Veterans give strength to Oklahoma’s workforce, governor says | The Journal Record
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, who signed 5 payments in 2022 to profit veterans and encourage them to settle in Oklahoma, shakes palms with 97-year-old World Struggle II veteran Loren Fitzgerald of Tonkawa. (Courtesy picture)
Whereas states throughout the nation are honoring veterans for his or her army service in observance of Veterans Day, Gov. Kevin Stitt thinks every single day must be Veterans Day in Oklahoma.
That’s why he signed 5 payments this 12 months that present veterans and their households with a smorgasbord of advantages that function a welcome mat for veterans to remain in Oklahoma following their service.
“I’ve set a imaginative and prescient to be primary in caring for our veterans within the state of Oklahoma,” Stitt mentioned this week.
Whereas Stitt expresses respect and admiration for veterans and their service, he additionally sees them as an financial profit to the state and he want to hold as many as doable in Oklahoma’s workforce. He want to entice others to maneuver right here as effectively.
One of many payments Stitt signed waves the state’s tax on army retirement advantages, he says.
“I came upon that when veterans retire from locations like Tinker Air Pressure Base and Lawton-Fort Sill, loads of instances, they have been solely 37, 38, 40 years previous,” Stitt mentioned. “They have been shifting to Texas, Florida, Tennessee, states with zero revenue tax. So, we eradicated that in Oklahoma.”
These veterans are going to begin their second careers and it’s vital for Oklahoma’s workforce to maintain them right here, he mentioned.
“We needed to do every part we might to advertise them,” Stitt mentioned.
Along with the SB 401 measure to chop taxes, the opposite advantages embrace SB 1670, which offers gross sales tax exemptions to widows of army members who’ve died in fight, and HB 3649, which offers gross sales tax exemptions to veteran-affiliated organizations. Stitt additionally signed HB 3709, which permits veterans in public retirement programs to buy army service credit, and HB 1067, which ensures dignified burial for sure veterans.
Along with the brand new state legal guidelines, the Oklahoma Division of Veterans Affairs introduced in September that Oklahoma earned the highest rating in incapacity compensation and pension advantages.
Based on the U.S. Division of Veterans Affairs, Oklahoma presents the nation’s highest common annual price of $8,593, which is greater than $450 per 12 months larger than the closest ranked state. Oklahoma beat out North Carolina, Texas, Alabama and Georgia, which additionally have been within the high 5.
Stitt mentioned the state additionally has taken measures to profit spouses who observe their husbands or wives to Oklahoma army bases. The state is making particular efforts to make sure army spouses could be licensed rapidly to allow them to proceed their careers in Oklahoma.
Stitt mentioned Tinker, Fort Sill, Altus Air Pressure Base, Vance Air Pressure Base and the McAlester Military Ammunition Plant are essential to Oklahoma’s financial success.
“We’d like the communities which are wrapped round these bases to supply the schooling and ensure we’re loving on the service-member households as effectively. All of it works collectively,” Stitt mentioned.
Oklahoma has a robust army presence, and the state must hold that going as a result of the standard of employees popping out of the army are top-notch, Stitt mentioned.
“They’ve already been skilled, they know self-discipline, they perceive onerous work, they report on time, and so they perceive what it takes to achieve success,” he mentioned. “They’ve a can-do keep on with it, angle, and they’re very patriotic. There are specific sectors the place that’s all they wish to rent is former army people, so we wish to proceed to advertise that.”
This week on the Oklahoma Ford Sports Blitz, Dean Blevins, John Holcomb, and Chris Williams begin the show with their opening takes.
Sunday, November 24th 2024, 11:17 pm
By:
News 9,
News On 6
OKLAHOMA CITY –
This week on the Oklahoma Ford Sports Blitz, Dean Blevins, John Holcomb, and Chris Williams begin the show with their opening takes.
OU, OSU, TU Breakdown OU, OSU, TU Opponent Preview
UCO Football Recap
Thunder Report: Thunder Head West To Face Top Conference Teams
OSU, OU, Basketball Recap
Play The Percentages
Oklahoma residents on Sunday mourned the death of former Democratic U.S. Sen. Fred Harris, a trailblazer in progressive politics in the state who ran an unsuccessful presidential bid in 1976. Harris died on Saturday at 94.
Democratic Party members across Oklahoma remembered Harris for his commitment to economic and social justice during the 1960s — a period of historical turbulence. Harris chaired the Democratic National Committee from 1969 to 1970 and helped unify the party after its tumultuous national convention in 1968 when protesters and police clashed in Chicago.
“Fred Harris showed us what is possible when we lead with both heart and principle. He worked to ensure everyone had a voice and a seat at the table,” said Alicia Andrews, chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.
Harris appeared at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago earlier this year as a guest speaker for the Oklahoma delegation, where he reflected on progress and unity.
“Standing alongside him in Chicago this summer was a reminder of how his legacy continues to inspire,” Andrews said.
Kalyn Free, a member of the Choctaw nation of Oklahoma and the DNC, said that there is no one else in public service whom she admired more than the former senator.
“He was a friend, a mentor, a hero and my True North. Oklahoma and America have lost a powerful advocate and voice,” Free said in a statement. “His work for Indian Country will always be remembered.”
“Senator Harris truly was an Oklahoma treasure and was ahead of his time in so many ways,” said Jeff Berrong, whose grandfather served in the state Senate with Harris. “He never forgot where he came from and he always remained focused on building a society that would provide equality of opportunity for all.”
Harris served eight years in the state Senate before he was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served another eight years before his 1976 presidential campaign. State party leaders commemorated his work on the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, or the Kerner Commission, to investigate the 1960s riots. Harris was the last surviving member of the commission.
Shortly after his presidential campaign, Harris left politics and moved to New Mexico and became a political science professor at the University of New Mexico.
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Lathan is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Oklahoma
Alabama's upset loss to Oklahoma completes wild day in college football as rankings could look a lot different
Entering Saturday night, all No. 7 Alabama needed was a win against unranked Oklahoma to remain very safe in the College Football Playoff bracket.
Earlier in the day, No. 5 Indiana was blown out, No. 4 Penn State barely squeaked by Minnesota, and No. 9 Ole Miss and No. 14 BYU both lost.
But, the Crimson Tide could not get the job done, as Oklahoma dominated to a 24-3 victory.
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Defensive end R Mason Thomas of the Oklahoma Sooners gets his hands in the face of quarterback Jalen Milroe of the Alabama Crimson Tide at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Nov. 23, 2024, in Norman, Oklahoma. (Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, who had been one of the nation’s best players, had his worst game of the season. He completed 11 of 26 passes for 164 yards with three interceptions and gained just seven yards on 15 carries for Alabama (8-3, 4-3). The Sooners held Alabama to 234 yards. He went just 2-for-7 for 62 yards before the half.
True freshman Xavier Robinson ran for career highs of 107 yards and two touchdowns as Oklahoma became bowl eligible and took coach Brent Venables off the hot seat.
The Sooners’ victory resulted in yet another edition of fans storming the field too early, but at least this one was practically over anyway, unlike the BYU-Arizona State game.
Oklahoma students and fans rush the field after they efeated Alabama, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Norman. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
APPALACHIAN STATE FANS PELT JAMES MADISON PLAYERS WITH SNOWBALLS BEFORE GAME
Ole Miss and Alabama, both in the bracket prediction last week, now have three losses on the season. This leaves the door wide open for 9-2 teams like Clemson and Iowa State, who had been ranked 17th and 22nd in the nation, respectively.
And now, Indiana’s college football playoff hopes, right after their undefeated season ending, may not look all that over. No. 10 Georgia and No. 11 Tennessee figure to move up a few spots with three teams ahead of them in the rankings all losing.
Although, it’s certainly not out of the question that Alabama could be on the outside looking in.
Oklahoma spirit team member celebrates after a touchdown against Alabama, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Norman. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
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The next rankings will come out on Tuesday, and it should be very exciting to see what the committee has in store.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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