March 22, 2019 Issue, Page 4 of 14

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Aol a" i The more AND IF YOU DARE OUCH SINGLE PROGRAM, WE'LL MAKE SURE You NEVER WORK IN) things change, “THIS TOWN AGAIN, SCROOGE. the less they stay the same ag GADANOLEWS MAAECEL comics.com EMAIL: [email protected] By Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy CEO Joe Dorman Jaded observers of Oklaho- ma politics often express their cynicism with the phrase, “the more things change, the How much does a college more they stay the same.” In other words, while we may think we are making a differ- ence, in reality, we are all just choice ultimately matter? spinning our wheels. As someone who believes isn’t always so clear-cut, ence with the application est overall acceptance rate in the power of people to af- but cynics will contend that process, as I just applied to of 10.3 percent, as the school fect transformative change, legacies- students who had, one school, Northwest Mis- received 51,328 applications I don’t like the phrase or its Dorman say, parents or grandparents souri, after attending a junior and accepted 5,288 of those implications. So, at the risk of attend the institution - give college. I had no interest in apps, according to www. sounding like an Oklahoma version of Yogi Berra, I am coin- certain students an immedi- attending a private school and ivycoach.com. Harvard had ing anew one: “the more things change, the less they stay ate advantage in the applica- was not a candidate for a so- the lowest overall acceptance the same.” Engaged citizens are changing and improving tion process. Others contend called elite school. of 4.6 percent (42,749 apps; Oklahoma every day, evenif it sometimes feels like we are that wealthy folks can buy In my career, I have inter- 1,962 accepted). having the same conversations about the same problems. In their children admission, viewed a few students who From my experience, the fact, sometimes change happens because we insist on hav- such as donating money toa have gotten accepted into top-tier schools look for not ing those same old conversations until we break through. university in exchange for an Harvard, and their back- only high academic achieve- For instance, considera bill filed this year by House admission. grounds have varied, from ment among candidates but High school students and agirl who attended a rural high school and graduated in also something that sets the Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. House Bill 2502 would provide a $1,000 tax credit for teachers to claim for class- teachers welcomed spring student apart from his or her room expenditures and fees associated with the teacher By Don Munsch break this week after a long aclass of seven - if memory Editor serves me correct-to a girl peers. certification process. As the Speaker pointed out, this bill winter, and many students While attending a highly se- would “get money directly into the classroom and also help might use this time to visit who attended a large high lective college has career and those teachers recoup those costs so they don’t have to The matter involving colleges and universities. school in suburban Houston. choose between their families and their students.” wealthy or famous parents Most students who have Others students were from perhaps lifelong advantages, ‘The bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote - including actresses Lori demonstrated some kind of schools in small districts out- students deciding where to of 96-0 on March 11 and will now be up for consideration Loughlin and Felicity Huff- academic acumen and have a side metropolitan areas. All of go to school should know that in the State Senate. Back in 2008, one of my colleagues and man - who allegedly bribed desire to go to college should them were extremely smart success in life depends on I authored House Bill 2919, which would have at the time individuals from colleges gain entry into some kind of and motivated. much more than their college given a similar $500 break for teachers. The legislation filed to help allow their children school. For some students, or The admissions process is selection. Individuals’ hard by Former Rep. John Trebilcock, R-Broken Arrow, was not admission brings into focus perhaps just a few, they may sort of fascinating at these work, experience and talents given a committee hearing. Politics, as well as budget issues anumber of issues, such as not get into their first choice, highly selective schools, will ultimately mean the most of the time, hurt his proposed new law. But now this same how the college admissions as they could accept attend- especially the Ivys, as those to the vast majority of em- idea has been resurrected and even strengthened, with a process works. ing their “safety school,” or schools generally have over- ployers in the long run. The proposed tax break that is twice as large as the original At the elite universities, the institution that was their all acceptance rates in the influence - or interference - of proposal. I want to thank Speaker McCall for expanding and including the Ivy League second or third choice. single digits. For the class of mommy and daddy can only championing this idea in 2019, and giving a long overdue schools, who gains entry Idon’t have much experi- 2022, Cornell had the high- go so far in the work world. concept a chance to become reality. Also filed this session was Senate Bill 1 by Senate Presi- dent Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City. This legislation creates the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transpar- ency (LOFT) within the Legislative Service Bureau as well Toda as a bicameral oversight committee. LOFT will assist the Legislature in: 1) Identifying economies and efficiencies for possible savings; 2) Examining the structure and design of agency programs; 3) Ensuring agency programs receive adequate resources; 4) Proposing or examining alternative agency or program services; 5) Providing objective perfor- mance measures for agency programs; 6) Ensuring the ac- curacy ofpublic documents; and 7) Monitoring compliance with state law and relevant standards related to an agency Glynda Lomax program. While some have balked at strengthening legislative We can only be said to be services and support, I want to point out that about four alive in those moments when decades ago, the current Legislative Service Bureau (LSB) our hearts are conscious of the more frightening they on the mountain tops, but it is provided the entire staff support to the House and Senate our treasures.” ~ Thornton become, the more darkness in the cool shadowed valley alike. Back then, paranoia by lawmakers broke this main Wilde and uncertainty we see as we watered by our tears where service for both bodies into separate staff organizations for fearfully peer into them. We things really grow. How will the Legislature. While the LSB is staffed today with com- Thave a plaque on my wall seek love and friendship and you ever learn to fully appre- petent and hardworking professionals, it is smaller and has that reads “Each new day find betrayal. The world ap- ciate the rainbows unless you capacity issues, especially given the wide-ranging policy brings with it many gifts. pears a cold, frightening and have first known the uncer- issues it is asked to weigh-in and advise on. Untie the ribbons.” It is a con- uncertain place and nothing tainty ofthe thunderstorm, ‘Aneed to strengthen and expand the LSB was recognized stant reminder that the gifts is right. the darkness ofthe rain? Un- years ago by Former Speaker Loyd Benson, D-Frederick. of today are to be my focus, Sometimes the greatest less you have heard it crash He championed a similar proposal in the late 1990's very not yesterday’s memories, not gifts life brings come to us through your dreams with the similar to Sen. Greg Treat’s, but it was not given the support my hopes for tomorrow, but in ugly wrappings. The gifts threat of impending disaster, We must not waste time needed to pass at that time. the simple gift of today. may be people, situations you cannot know the true As LOFT moves forward, it will restore much of what was ‘We never know what or circumstances. We hope beauty of the hope that comes looking back down the street provided in those olden days, but with modern technology to surprises today will bring and find disappointment. with the soft, misty dawn in of broken dreams that is our help the legislature accomplish their intended goal of better us. Some may be good and We encounter a financial the morning or the serenity of past, but must instead con- fiscal oversight for agencies. My thanks go out to Sena- some bad. Some days are like situation or illness we never the cricket’s song at dusk. tinue moving ahead through tor Treat and those filing similar concepts this year to give rainbows, the longer we gaze thought could happen to us. Though the pain in our soul the valleys, over the moun- lawmakers the tools they need to provide effective agency at them, the more beautiful We seek our friends, and is great as we walk through taintops, to our next adven- oversight. As I mentioned at the beginning of this column, they become, the more varia- find they weren’t our friends the valley of thunder and ture, our next lesson, to our cynics might see these proposals and criticize them as tions and striations we notice at all. We are betrayed by a tears, we must be thankful for next gift. evidence that nothing really changes. I see something else in them. We need a friend, spouse or lover, passed over the wisdom gained. Ignorance Have you untied the rib- entirely: evidence that persistence pays off and eventually and find they are there. The for a promotion at work. What may be bliss but it is wisdom, bons on the gifts of today? delivers success. As I always say (starting with this col- world appears a welcoming gift could possibly be found not blissful ignorance, on umn!), the more things change, the less they stay the same. and friendly place and all is in that? which we may solidly build a As we move into the next round of consideration with bills well. Ttis in life’s darkest mo- happy life. “If you are still talking discussed, OICA will work to keep you informed. Please ‘Some days are like thunder, ments that we gain experi- The path ahead is full of about what you did yester- sign up at OICA.org to receive our weekly email updates dark, scary and threatening. ence and wisdom. There are promise, of hope, of experi- day, you haven't done much and action alerts. The more we look at them, seasons of life we seem to live ence from lessons learned. today.” ~ Author Unknown