January 4, 2025 Issue, Page 3 of 8

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The Elk City News SATURDAY, JANUARY. 4, 2025 + 3 SENATE NOTES FROM SEN. BRENT HOWARD| DEC. 23, 2024 The State Board of Equal- will drop to about $67.98 per including the full cost of at state veterans’ homes. The additional money to replace you all a happy, healthy and ization recently met to certify barrel, down from $72.05 a eliminating the grocery sales State Regents for Higher Ed- some Oklahoma Highway Pa- prosperous 2025, revenue projections for fiscal barrel. State revenue depends tax, $50 million in additional ucation is seeking additional trol vehicles and hold a troop- ‘To contact me at the Cap- year 2026. These projections heavily on gross production funding for Parental Choice funding for concurrent en- er academy. These are just a itol, please write to Senator providea baseline for building taxes, which are levied on oil tax credits, and other costs we rollment programs, work- few of the budget requests Brent Howard, State Capitol, a state budget for the upcom- and natural gas production. must cover next year. force initiatives and capital the Senate will dig into in the 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. Room ing fiscal year. The governor Tax cuts are always a major Among the state agency needs at colleges and univer- coming weeks. 427, Oklahoma City, OK, will use these estimates from topic of conversation at the requests, the Department of sities. Career'Tech requested Finally, I hope everyone in 73105, email me at Brent. the Oklahoma Tax Commis- state Capitol, and I expect my Veterans Affairs requested more funding to increase Senate District 38 has a merry [email protected], or sion and Office of Manage- colleagues and I will contin- additional funding because enrollment, and the Depart- Christmas. And as we enter call (405) 521-5612. ment and Enterprise Services ue to explore ways to reduce of increased operating costs ment of Public Safety seeks the new year, I want to wish to craft an executive budget residents’ tax burden during CANUTE proposal that he will present the upcoming legislative ses- to the Legislature. In Febru- sion. However, we must al- ary, the Board of Equaliza- ways consider tax cuts in the tion will meet again to certify context of Oklahoma’ overall updated budget projections, financial health and the needs and those are the figures the of our citizens. Balancing Senate will use to develop our our state budget means ac- budget proposal. counting for inflation and the Early budget _ estimates long-term impact of any de- show state revenue is down. cisions we make. That’s why The Board of Equalization Senate leaders took a careful projects the state will have approach last year, waiting roughly $12.3 billion available for the Board of Equalization for appropriation next year, to meet in February before which is about $191 million sending the governor legis- less than the current year’s lation to eliminate the state state budget. Part of that reve- portion of the grocery tax nue decline is due to the elim- The process of writing a ination of the state portion state budget for the fiscal year of the grocery sales tax and that begins in July is just get- an increase in the amount of ting started. State agencies money set aside for the state's have submitted their budget Parental Choice tax credits. requests for the upcoming Volatility in the oil and nat- year, and the combined re- ural gas sector is also affect- quests are more than $1 bil- ing state revenue. Oil and gas lion over what the Legislature prices are down. Although appropriated in the current budget analysts expect natu- year. That figure also doesn't ral gas prices to rebound, they factor in nearly $400 million expect the average price of oil in new funding obligations, Cs Beckham-RM Retired Educators at their Christmas meeting. They held an auction that brought in $400 for their scholarship fund. Courtesy photo. OREA of Beckham/Roger Mills Meeting The sounds and sights cal Alert Service that of- of Christmas were in the fers significant discounts air as OREA members on small, discreet medical of Beckham/Roger Mills alert devices. The devices Unit gathered to enjoy the give the member access to celebration of the season. emergency response 24/7 A lovely selection of de- with just the press of one licious Christmas snacks help button. For more in- was presented. President formation, members may Linda Long welcomed contact Connect Ameri- Carla Garrison, Jan At- can at 800-404-5869. tocknie, Judy Haught, Linda shared that Leg- Glenda Ivins, Cathy Lew- islators are going into is, Gwen Pasby, Janice session in February 2025. Mollet, Stephanie Malone, Pensions, benefits and tax Mary Beth Mahanay, Joyce rates are sure to get extra Roberts, Dennis McRee, attention. The PAC dona- June Lovelace, Larry Long, tion from this Unit was Hoyt Lewis and Karen $80. On a fun note, Carla Whitely. June gave the in- was the Auctioneer at the vocation and Judy led the annual Christmas Schol- flag salutes. arship Fund Auction. A Members sang the birth- scholarship from Beck- day song to Glenda, Carla, ham/Roger Mills Unit of June, Joyce and Karen in OREA will be awarded to honor of their December a first year college student birthdays. going into Education or Stephanie chose to read one doing student teach- We proudly support the students, a Christmas story from Je- ing. sus Is Calling for Christ- Linda noted the next staff and administration at mas by Sarah Young. She meeting of this Unit is Canute Schools selected the — scripture, John 3:16, as part of the January 10, 2025. Jan has the devotional. Cory Spieker will present Mayor Great Plains Bank ~ Lipscomb HLPRO 720 S. Main, Elk City W, EDS www.elkcitycoop.com devotional. ‘The minutes were ap- the program. The OREA Chrysler ~ Dodge Jeep Ram proved as presented. The Board meeting is Janu- 580-225-0191 treasurer's report was ac- ary 22. Janice Mollet won ~ First National Bank cepted as read. the door prize. Linda ad- Mary Beth encouraged journed the meeting and members to invite area reminded members to retirees to join OREA. encourage other retirees She supplied extra mem- to join this local Unit as Sovereien bership forms for those a way of staying informed interested in reaching about happenings at the out to future members. State Capitol, protecting J Glenda reported 71 our pensions, retirement members. She shared and other benefits of Okla- 580-225-6554 BANK the Membership Minute, homa Retired Educators One of the largest metal 918 N. Van Buren which noted the benefit of Association. Happy New suppliers between Elk City, OK 73644 ighway 66, ute, OK 73626. | 580-4: 3131 Connect America Medi- Year blessings to all! OKC and Amarillo wwwjanningwelding.com nksover n.com {SIEENBER Member FDIC