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Oklahoma Legislator's Blog

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for Dec. 4, 2009 - Umbilical Cord Blood Bank an Investment in Life

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everybody! Almost two years ago, I wrote, and the Legislature passed, a bill that authorized creation of the Oklahoma Umbilical Cord Blood Bank.Such a bank would eventually giving every Oklahoma family the ability to donate umbilical cord blood resulting from the live birth of a [...]
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    Posted: December 04, 2009, 8:20am EST

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" - Nov. 27, 2009 - Think More About How Decisions Affect People than Politics

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everybody! As most Oklahoma families’ thoughts turn to preparing for Christmas and winding down the year, the machinery of the Legislature begins winding up preparing for next year’s session.That does not take into account the recent talk about a possible special session. The governor recently [...]
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    Posted: November 30, 2009, 10:53pm EST

  • Giving the Governor the Power to Reform Government

    Over the legislative interim, I have enjoyed observing the manner in which state agencies are reacting to the series of government modernization reforms approved by the Legislature and the Governor during the last legislative session.Some agencies react to the challenge of saving taxpayer money in an energetic and positive manner. [...]
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    Posted: November 29, 2009, 9:27pm EST

  • Reforming Oklahoma County Governance

    One piece of legislation I have considered sponsoring for years is an omnibus reform of Oklahoma's county governance structure.In the past, I have expressed that I feel it is important for a governing board which approves a budget to not have the ability to specifically direct where that money goes. [...]
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    Posted: November 22, 2009, 1:32pm EST

  • Senator Gumm's Senate Minute for Nov. 20, 2009 - A Thanksgiving Message

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everybody! This has been a tumultuous year in our state and across the nation. In Oklahoma, we face budget shortfalls that are having a real impact on people’s lives.Still, we are a blessed people. This week, we pause to thank Almighty God for the blessings [...]
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    Posted: November 20, 2009, 11:57pm EST

  • Implementing a Shared Services Policy

    A few weeks ago, the House of Representatives Government Modernization Committee conducted an interim study to explore the possibility of realizing taxpayer savings through the implementation of shared services among agencies. Several state agencies testified at the interim study about their ongoing efforts to streamline and consolidate services, efforts which [...]
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    Posted: November 14, 2009, 9:09pm EST

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for Nov. 13-19, 2009 - The Battle Continues to Protect Our Water

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everybody! Six years ago, the battle began to preserve the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer, the source of springs and streams on which many of us depend.Several large cities wanted to drill into the aquifer and pump away billions of gallons of water, seriously risking the aquifer’s ability [...]
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    Posted: November 13, 2009, 9:32am EST

  • Implementation of Shared Services

    Last year, an omnibus modernization bill (HB 1032), made accessing state services more convenient for vendors and individuals, and could lead to the saving of millions of dollars in taxpayer expenditures.The bill seeks to recognize that savings have been incurred by those state agencies who have modernized licensing and permitting [...]
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    Posted: November 09, 2009, 10:36am EST

  • Senator Gumm’s “Senate Minute” for Nov. 6-12, 2009 - Clear the Smoke, Cut the Deal and Restore the Funding

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everybody! As I write this, a proposal is on the table that would restore funding toOklahoma’s senior nutrition sites.The senior nutrition program is one of the programs hardest hit by the budget cuts every agency is enduring because of declining tax collections. Affects of the [...]
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    Posted: November 06, 2009, 12:22pm EST

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" Column for Oct. 30-Nov. 5 - Firefighters Are Heroes; Volunteer Fire Departments Vital

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everybody! We all learn as children that October is Fire Prevention Month; as October gives way to November, fire safety is no less important.Throughout October, school children were given tours of fire stations and learn lessons on how to prevent fires and what to do [...]
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    Posted: November 06, 2009, 12:21pm EST

  • Realizing Savings Through the Implementation of a Technology Strategy

    Last year as part of the House Modernization agenda, House Bill 1170 introduced the important step of requiring the state Chief Information Officer to consider the incorporation of innovative and low cost technology components in Oklahoma's IT strategy. The bill seeks to recognize the fact that the days of state [...]
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    Posted: November 02, 2009, 9:45am EST

  • Lawmakers Study Prisoner Reintegration to Society

    Lawmakers Study Prisoner Reintegration to SocietyOklahoma House of Representatives Media DivisionFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Contact: State Rep. Joe DormanOffice: (405) 557-7305E-mail: joedorman@okhouse.govLawmakers Study Prisoner Reintegration to SocietyOKLAHOMA CITY (October 22, 2009) – An interim study today focused on successfully reintegrating Oklahoma prisoners into society upon their release [...]
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    Posted: October 28, 2009, 2:21am EDT

  • Dorman Invited to Germany in Transatlantic Dialogue

    Oklahoma House of RepresentativesMedia DivisionFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Contact: State Rep. Joe DormanCapitol: (405) 557-7305E-mail: joedorman@okhouse.govDorman Invited to Germany in Transatlantic DialogueOKLAHOMA CITY (October 16, 2009) – State Rep. Joe Dorman said today that he will join two other American state lawmakers and one Canadian federal lawmaker on the Friedrich Naumann Foundation’s [...]
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    Posted: October 28, 2009, 2:20am EDT

  • Open Door Policy - Oct. 25, 2009

    I am writing my column this week after a day of meetings in Dresden , Germany . We are six hours ahead due to their daylight savings time, so I have been trying to adjust to the different time zone for my meetings. I will be in this community with [...]
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    Posted: October 28, 2009, 2:18am EDT

  • Open Door Policy - Oct. 18, 2009

    I had the great pleasure of being selected to represent the United States in a Transatlantic Dialogue to be held in Germany this next week. I was notified a few weeks ago to ask of my acceptance and found out last week it would be legal for me to work [...]
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    Posted: October 28, 2009, 2:17am EDT

  • Town Hall Meeting Update

    This week I will be hosting the third of four Town Hall meetings which are scheduled in House District 31 during this year's legislative interim. At each of these Town Hall meetings, it has been my goal to bring together state and local officials to provide updates to area residents. [...]
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    Posted: October 25, 2009, 9:36pm EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for Oct. 23-29, 2009 - The Struggle for Children with Autism

    Hello again, everybody! Some battles at the State Capitol are over quickly; others continue, waiting on political leadership to catch up with public opinion.The struggle to provide health insurance coverage to children with autism is one of those battles that will continue. Finding a way to help these children and [...]
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    Posted: October 23, 2009, 9:32am EDT

  • Developing the Oklahoma Innovation, Efficiency and Accountability Act of 2010

    In today's quickly changing world, private businesses are taking advantage of innovative programs such as allowing for employee telecommuting. Because of the ever growing reach of broadband Internet access, many job functions can be performed through the Internet.One example of this new functionality is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) that [...]
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    Posted: October 18, 2009, 6:28pm EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for Oct. 16-22, 2009 - Senior Nutrition Cuts Should Be Reversed

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everybody! This past week state government got another round of bad budget news.Tax collections are still running far below what is necessary to meet the budget we approved during the 2009 legislative session. For the third straight month, allocations to state agencies were cut by [...]
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    Posted: October 18, 2009, 8:08am EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for Oct. 9-15, 2009

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everybody! Discussions continue at the State Capitol and around Oklahoma on issues the Legislature will consider next session, which is now less than four months away.Over the past several years, many proposals were introduced that would have restricted use of mobile phones by individuals driving [...]
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    Posted: October 15, 2009, 10:43pm EDT

  • Getting Your Input About Government Modernization 2.0

    During the past few months it has been my responsibility to help develop the next series of Government Modernization legislation. As part of this process, I have met with a number of agency leaders to receive their input and have worked to ascertain best practices from the private industry and [...]
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    Posted: October 11, 2009, 2:42pm EDT

  • One of the Worst Examples of Wasteful Spending

    Once in a while, I run across a law that makes my head hurt. A perfect example of one of these laws is Senate Bill 1347 which was signed into law in 2004. To see the effect of this law, I would suggest a drive down Memorial Road at the [...]
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    Posted: October 04, 2009, 10:56pm EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for Oct. 2-8, 2009

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everybody! More meetings are underway at the State Capitol to prepare for the 2010 legislative session, now only four months away.A meeting last week focused on methamphetamine. Five years ago, Oklahoma was one of the first states to restrict the availability of pseudoephedrine, the critical [...]
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    Posted: October 04, 2009, 8:17am EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for Sept. 25-Oct. 1, 2009

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everybody! This week’s column contains my re-election announcement speech:“Eight years ago, many of us gathered to begin a campaign to create a brighter future by building on the progress of the past. Together, we built the brighter future we envisioned.“The world, our nation, and our [...]
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    Posted: October 04, 2009, 8:16am EDT

  • The Need for Greater Transparency

    I have either been involved in or closely observed some level of government for almost ten years. In that time I have studied a series of local, county and state government entities, as well as an array of government public trusts. I have spent a good deal of time listening [...]
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    Posted: September 27, 2009, 2:49pm EDT

  • Conducting a Review of State Employee Insurance

    You may have read recent headlines regarding an increase in rates that state, school and county governments will be paying for the insurance of their employees. An increase in the cost of the co-pay provisions of the primary PPO plan (state-run self-insurance program known as HealthChoice) will be handed down [...]
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    Posted: September 20, 2009, 9:59pm EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for Sept. 18-24, 2009 - "There Ought to be a Law"

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everybody! As fall approaches, it is time to begin work on issues the Legislature will consider during the 2010 session.Over the seven years I have served as your senator, the best ideas I take to the Capitol come from you, the people I represent. When [...]
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    Posted: September 19, 2009, 7:05am EDT

  • Senator Gumm Announced for Re-election at Durant Rally

    Following is the prepared text of the speech given by Senator Jay Paul Gumm as he announced his candidacy for re-election to the Oklahoma Senate. The senator announced for re-election at a standing-room-only campaign kick-off held Monday, September 14, 2009, at Sports City Cafe in Durant._______________________________________________________SENATOR GUMM: Eight years ago, [...]
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    Posted: September 19, 2009, 7:03am EDT

  • Dorman Conducts Legislative Study on Incentives for Continued Firefighter Training

    Oklahoma House of RepresentativesMedia DivisionSeptember 8, 2009FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Contact: State Rep. Joe DormanCapitol: (405) 557-7305E-mail: joedorman@okhouse.govDorman Conducts Legislative StudyOn Incentives for Continued Firefighter TrainingOKLAHOMA CITY- State Rep. Joe Dorman conducted an interim study today to look at ways to maintain adequate training for rural firefighters.Dorman, [...]
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    Posted: September 14, 2009, 12:44pm EDT

  • Open Door Policy - Sept. 1 & 8, 2009

    Sept. 1, 2009I’m sorry I missed last week’s column. It was a busy week and I did not have the chance to sit down and reflect on all which occurred. I’ll try to get everyone caught up to date.My family lost my grandmother, Jackie Henderson, to cancer this past Friday. [...]
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    Posted: September 14, 2009, 12:35pm EDT

  • Learning from the Failures of other States

    If you spend much time watching business or news networks such as CNBC or FOX, you may have noticed a commercial promoting Michigan as a good location for business owners to conduct business. For the past several years, Michigan's political leaders have offered $3.3 billion in tax credits through the [...]
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    Posted: September 13, 2009, 7:59pm EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for Sept. 11-17, 2009 - Sales Tax Holiday and Real Tax Reform

    Hello again, everybody! Recently, I was in a political skirmish with an organization that issued a report critical of Oklahoma’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.Passing the sales tax holiday was one of the most important legislative goals I had when you elected me to be your senator. Forces from big city [...]
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    Posted: September 11, 2009, 10:51pm EDT

  • Payroll, Human Resources Streamlining Discussed at House Interim Study

    Several state agencies testified at an interim study today about their ongoing efforts to streamline and consolidate payroll and human relations services, which has not only saved the state money, but has also improved services. Rep. Jason Murphey, chairman of the House Government Modernization Committee, said the goal of the [...]
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    Posted: September 09, 2009, 3:43pm EDT

  • Interim Study Looks at Ways to Streamline State Permits and Licensing

    Interim Study Looks at Ways to Streamline State Permits and LicensingStreamlining the thousands of licenses and permits issued by various state agencies is critical to modernizing state government, House members were told at an interim study today. Various agencies testified at the study about efforts they have taken to make [...]
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    Posted: September 09, 2009, 3:42pm EDT

  • Local Road and Bridge Construction Report

    One of the my tasks last week was to accumulate my biannual list of upcoming area road projects as a component of my 2009 Constituent Report. This report provides an update for local residents to know when road projects are scheduled in their area. The report also serves as a [...]
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    Posted: September 07, 2009, 9:59am EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for Sept. 4-10, 2009

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everybody! Politics has certainly been interesting this summer.In national news reports, we have seen anger, grandstanding, and – most troubling – genuine fear many Americans have about the direction of our nation. The economic downturn is the spark for much of this fear, but something [...]
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    Posted: September 07, 2009, 7:28am EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for Sept. 4-10, 2009

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everybody! Politics has certainly been interesting this summer.In national news reports, we have seen anger, grandstanding, and – most troubling – genuine fear many Americans have about the direction of our nation. The economic downturn is the spark for much of this fear, but something [...]
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    Posted: September 07, 2009, 7:28am EDT

  • Free Market Solutions for High Speed Internet

    During the time I have served as State Representative, my office has handled a number of constituent requests. One of the issues I am most often asked to check into is why a certain area does not have access to broadband Internet and when it might become available. Usually the [...]
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    Posted: August 30, 2009, 3:39pm EDT

  • From "The Tulsa World" - Lawmakers Disagree with Report on Sales Tax Holiday

    OKLAHOMA CITY — Some lawmakers disagree with a report that called sales-tax holidays a political gimmick.The Washington, D.C.- based Tax Foundation this week released a report that is critical of the 16 states that offer sales-tax holidays.The nonpartisan, nonprofit group that has monitored fiscal policy at the federal, state and [...]
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    Posted: August 28, 2009, 6:54am EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" - Looking Forward to "Back to School" Visits

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everybody! Since becoming your senator seven years ago, one of my favorite responsibilities is an event called “America’s Legislators Back to School.”It is a program sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislatures and it always occurs in September, around the time students study the [...]
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    Posted: August 28, 2009, 6:53am EDT

  • Local Officials Standing Up to the Legislature

    I believe the best form of government is one in which a citizen board sits in oversight of a government entity without having the direct authority to determine who receives money from the government by way of targeting funds directly to the recipient. When elected officials have the direct authority [...]
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    Posted: August 23, 2009, 6:40pm EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" - September Special Session Likely

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everyone! Last week, I wrote that no one is talking about a special session to adjust the state budget in light of the revenue shortfalls.This week, almost everyone is talking about whether lawmakers should return to the Capitol. Initially, it looked as though the governor [...]
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    Posted: August 23, 2009, 7:44am EDT

  • I was pleased to participate in a ...

    I was pleased to participate in a health care town hall meeting this past Thursday in Lawton with several other local legislators. The topics of this meeting were based on current Oklahoma law and potential legislation which could be heard in the future. Unlike many of the scenes we have [...]
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    Posted: August 20, 2009, 7:09pm EDT

  • Creating an Inventory of State Assets

    It is my belief that Oklahomans expect their elected officials and government leaders to manage their resources in the same efficient manner that a privately owned business would manage its affairs.Can you imagine a private business entity that went about its business in such a disorganized manner that it was [...]
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    Posted: August 17, 2009, 11:31pm EDT

  • Budgets Cut in Wake of Revenue Shortfall - Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute"

    Hello again, everybody. This week, the state got some bad – though not unexpected – news: Tax collections are less than estimates on which we in the Legislature wrote the budget.State law allows lawmakers to spend only 95 percent of what state government expects to collect, creating a five percent [...]
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    Posted: August 16, 2009, 7:48am EDT

  • Open Door Policy - Aug. 10, 2009

    It was a very long week as I hosted a delegation of political visitors from El Salvador for five days. They had a very good time and hopefully this will improve trade relations between not only Oklahoma, but the United States.We also had the 65th Rush Springs Watermelon Festival, Lions [...]
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    Posted: August 13, 2009, 2:28pm EDT

  • Open Door Policy - Aug. 1, 2009

    It has been a busy week as I have been traveling quite a bit around the district and to the office for meetings. I have also been preparing to host a group of political leaders from El Salvador through the American Council of Young Political Leaders. They will visit Oklahoma [...]
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    Posted: August 13, 2009, 2:27pm EDT

  • Crescent and Guthrie School Districts Applying Best Practices

    One of my recent tasks has been to participate in discussions with state agency officials and other groups who have an interest in upcoming government modernization efforts. These discussions focus on issues such as using technology to streamline and reduce the cost of government operations and in doing so to [...]
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    Posted: August 09, 2009, 10:09pm EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" - Amid Health Care Debate, Oklahoma Quietly Improves Program

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everybody. As the federal government grapples with health care, an Oklahoma program to help people who cannot get insurance quietly got a boost last month.State government cannot solve every health care concern, but it can help. That is why the state created the Oklahoma High [...]
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    Posted: August 07, 2009, 12:04pm EDT

  • Dealing With The Federal Bureaucracy

    Last week, Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn made a point of exposing the horrendous misuse of our gas tax dollars. Each time you buy gas, you pay about 18 cents per gallon which is remitted to the federal government. This money is supposed to be used to build and repair roads. [...]
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    Posted: August 03, 2009, 7:02pm EDT

  • DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everyone! Back-to-school ...

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everyone! Back-to-school is an exciting time for Oklahoma families.Children get ready to take another step on the path to becoming adults, either beginning school or entering a new grade with new challenges. Parents work hard to ensure their children are ready for those challenges, buying [...]
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    Posted: August 01, 2009, 12:02am EDT

  • Article from the Sunday Oklahoma about the Rush Springs Watermelon Festival - Try to attend on Aug. 8

    BY BRYAN PAINTERColumnistbpainter@opubco.comRUSH SPRINGS — Any way you slice it, the Watermelon Festival is a vital part of the Rush Springs identity.At least 234 fairs and festivals will be held in Oklahoma in 2009, according to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. Those are great sources not only of income [...]
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    Posted: July 29, 2009, 5:18pm EDT

  • Open Door Policy - July 28, 2009

    It has been a busy week as I have been traveling quite a bit around the district and to the office for meetings. I have also been preparing to host a group of political leaders from El Salvador through the American Council of Young Political Leaders. They will visit Oklahoma [...]
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    Posted: July 29, 2009, 4:45pm EDT

  • Local Road Funding Relief May Be On The Way

    Last summer as I went door to door visiting with District 31 constituents, I tried to put a special emphasis on making contact with those who were new to the area. I wanted to be sure to welcome them to the district and give them the opportunity to update their [...]
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    Posted: July 27, 2009, 10:56am EDT

  • Open Door Policy - July 20, 2009

    I had the opportunity this past weekend to attend the Apache Rattlesnake Association Banquet and learn more about their festival. Even with two days of rain over the four day event, the festival almost equaled their largest return over the years. This adds to the thought that we are seeing [...]
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    Posted: July 24, 2009, 6:25pm EDT

  • A Glorious Mission - Senator Gumm's Local "Senate Minute" Column

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everyone! One of the values on which I will never waver is my support for public education.Public schools are charged with giving every child a chance to become everything God intends for them to be. It is as daunting, noble and glorious a mission as [...]
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    Posted: July 24, 2009, 10:08am EDT

  • Preparing to Advocate an Aggressive States' Rights Agenda

    Last November, I wrote an update entitled, "Preparing for an Expansion of Government." In that update, I referenced how that over time, under both Republican and Democratic administrations, both parties have used the expansion of federal government as a tool to accomplish their various agendas and in doing so violated [...]
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    Posted: July 20, 2009, 12:00pm EDT

  • "A Glorious Mission" - An Op-Ed by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm in the July 19 Edition of "The Oklahoman"

    The mission of public education is to give every child a chance to become everything God intends for them to be.It is as daunting, noble and glorious a mission as any taken on by our nation. Given the importance of this mission, I am amazed at the eagerness some have [...]
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    Posted: July 19, 2009, 7:27am EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for July 17-23, 2009

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everyone! Four decades ago this week, Apollo 11 carried the first men to set foot on the Moon. On July 20, 1969, after a four-day trip of a quarter-million miles, mission commander Neil Armstrong piloted the lunar module “Eagle” to the Moon’s surface. A few [...]
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    Posted: July 17, 2009, 3:02pm EDT

  • Open Door Policy - July 13, 2009

    This was a busy weekend as we saw the OKC Thunder, our professional basketball team, visit Chickasha and Anadarko on Saturday. It was a pleasure to meet many of the staffers who make the operation work so well and have a chance to visit with them about how much they [...]
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    Posted: July 16, 2009, 3:47pm EDT

  • Signing Ceremony Celebrates New Law Honoring Soldiers

    OKLAHOMA CITY – A ceremony the Blue Room of the State Capitol helped mark the enactment of a new law to honor Oklahoma soldiers who make the supreme sacrifice in the War on Terror. Senator Jay Paul Gumm was principal author of SB 712, which require the governor to order [...]
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    Posted: July 15, 2009, 4:38pm EDT

  • Saving Money - Streamlining Government Services

    A few days ago, the Speaker of the House announced his approval of a list of interim studies that will be conducted during the next few months. These studies will potentially form the basis for future legislation and give legislators a chance to examine new ideas without being under the [...]
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    Posted: July 13, 2009, 11:09am EDT

  • Open Door Policy - July 6, 2009

    I hope everyone had a safe Independence Day this past weekend. I had the opportunity to ride in the Marlow parade, then attend the community events in Cyril and Apache (just as the rain hit), and also attended a cookout. I then went to the airport to pick up my [...]
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    Posted: July 11, 2009, 6:31pm EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for July 10-16, 2009

    Hello again, everyone! One of the greatest quotes about the role of government comes from former Vice President Hubert Humphrey. He said, “The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, [...]
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    Posted: July 10, 2009, 11:18am EDT

  • 2009 Town Hall Meetings

    I will be hosting a series of Town Hall Meetings across House District 31 this week.During the last mid-term interim, I conducted a series of these meetings in order to provide updates about both state and local government events and to provide an opportunity for questions and answers so my [...]
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    Posted: July 05, 2009, 10:05pm EDT

  • Open Door Policy - June 30, 2009

    I was in Oklahoma City over most of the weekend visiting friends in the hospital. I won't mention their names, but please keep those from our area who are sick or injured in your prayers. It is amazing what the will of people and the spirit can do to heal' [...]
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    Posted: July 05, 2009, 2:04pm EDT

  • Dorman to Hold Interim Study on Rural Firefighter Training

    Oklahoma House of RepresentativesMedia DivisionFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Contact: State Rep. Joe DormanCapitol: (405) 557-7305E-mail: joedorman@okhouse.govDorman to Hold Interim Study on Rural Firefighter TrainingOKLAHOMA CITY (June 26, 2009) – State Rep. Joe Dorman announced today that he will be conducting an interim study on the efficiency, effectiveness and cost of training rural [...]
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    Posted: July 05, 2009, 2:03pm EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for July 3-9, 2009

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everyone! The summer generally is a very slow time at the State Capitol. With the legislative session complete, lawmakers return to their districts and their families. The focus of lawmakers’ work becomes constituent service and preparation for the next year’s session of the Legislature. One [...]
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    Posted: July 03, 2009, 7:58am EDT

  • Secretive Tax Credit Program to Come Under Legislative Review

    If you have read my articles in the past, you know that I am a strong opponent of special perks and that I oppose efforts to build special loopholes into the tax code for a privileged few. I am happy to be able to report that one of the most [...]
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    Posted: June 29, 2009, 10:19am EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for June 26-July 2, 2009

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everyone! During my legislative career, I have maintained an unswerving belief that we should honor and respect those who served in the Armed Forces.As America prepares to celebrate Independence Day, we must remember our independence as a nation – and the freedom we enjoy as [...]
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    Posted: June 27, 2009, 11:57am EDT

  • Gumm Wins Approval for Key Senate Studies

    OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Jay Paul Gumm has won approval for several interim studies on high profile legislative issues, many of which would improve access to medical care for thousands of citizens in his district. “Interim studies help us do critical research and analysis on issues that may be considered [...]
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    Posted: June 25, 2009, 10:13am EDT

  • Reducing Some of the Waste in Government Spending

    During the last two weeks, I have written about two unfortunate aspects of this year's session. First, property tax reform was not allowed to take place and second, stimulus dollars thwarted an excellent opportunity to significantly shrink the size of state government.That does not change the fact that there is [...]
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    Posted: June 22, 2009, 8:44am EDT

  • Open Door Policy - June 2 & 9, 2009

    June 9, 2009It is a sad time around the State Capitol as we lost one of our coworkers this past weekend. Ashley Pena, the legislative assistant to Rep. Don Armes, passed away from injuries sustained from an accident. She was in the hospital for over a week and went through [...]
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    Posted: June 19, 2009, 2:14pm EDT

  • Open Door Policy - June 15, 2009

    I had a fun day on Saturday as that I had the chance to watch the filming of a major motion picture that is shooting in Oklahoma City and Guthrie. This is a great business opportunity for our state and brings in a boost to our economy. This was assisted [...]
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    Posted: June 19, 2009, 2:06pm EDT

  • DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everyone! One ...

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everyone! One of the most important functions of state government is to do everything possible to protect Oklahomans from those who would harm us. In the past 15 years, the technology available to investigate and prosecute crimes has improved dramatically. As anyone knows who watches [...]
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    Posted: June 19, 2009, 9:20am EDT

  • The Stimulus Nightmare

    Earlier this year, I wrote about this year's state budget shortfall and explained how I thought the shortfall would provide an excellent opportunity for state government to get smaller. I felt that the shortfall would force state government to cut the most wasteful and inappropriate functions.Many of the residents of [...]
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    Posted: June 15, 2009, 10:26am EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for June 12-18, 2009

    OKLAHOMA CITY – Hello again, everybody! The 2009 session of the Oklahoma Legislature will be remembered for both successes and failures. Completing a budget that avoided serious cuts in the most important of state services has to be considered a success of this session. That success would not have been [...]
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    Posted: June 11, 2009, 11:29am EDT

  • No Property Tax Reform This Year

    One of the bills that was lost late in the session this year was property tax reform in the form of SJR-5. This was probably the single most disappointing occurrence of the session.Last April, chances are that you received your property tax assessment. I would also guess that regardless of [...]
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    Posted: June 07, 2009, 9:09pm EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for June 5-11, 2009

    OKLAHOMA CITY – Hello again, everybody! As the dust continues to settle after the 2009 session of the Oklahoma Legislature, political observers are looking at how this year was different.A new majority party took control and the big question was how members would respond to their new roles. What should [...]
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    Posted: June 05, 2009, 11:53am EDT

  • Asking for Constituent Input for Next Year's Agenda

    I receive a number of suggestions for bills each year and I carefully sort through these ideas to establish a legislative agenda for the next year. I try to balance my portfolio with aggressive bills that call for reform and easier-to-achieve bills with necessary, smaller changes in law that are [...]
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    Posted: June 01, 2009, 3:06pm EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for May 29-June 4, 2009

    OKLAHOMA CITY – Hello again, everybody! As I wrote last week’s column, everything looked like we would complete our work by 5 p.m., Friday, May 22 – a full week earlier than the Constitution requires.However, about an hour after I finished the column, the Senate hit a wall. The issue [...]
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    Posted: May 29, 2009, 9:27am EDT

  • Legislature Passes Bill Keeping Sex Offenders Out of Ice Cream Trucks

    The State of OklahomaOFFICE OF SENATOR JAY PAUL GUMMAtoka, Bryan, Coal, Johnston & Marshall CountiesMay 25, 2009FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Senator Jay Paul GummState Capitol: (405) 521-5586Durant: (580) 924-2221Mobile: (580) 920-6990OKLAHOMA CITY – On what was to have been the final day of the 2009 session of the Oklahoma Legislature, Sen. [...]
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    Posted: May 29, 2009, 9:24am EDT

  • Open Door Policy - May 26, 2009

    The legislature ended in a roar this year as we saw members required to vote past the deadline agreed to early on for adjournment. The Senate held a vote open for almost four hours on a bill to create a Chief Information Officer’s position and agency for the State of [...]
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    Posted: May 26, 2009, 3:11pm EDT

  • Pay-As-You-Go Road Districts and Guarding the Initiative Petition Process

    In 2007, I was contacted by a member of a rural Logan County road district who explained that one of the big challenges facing the district was Oklahoma's statutory scheme which encourages public boards to incur debt for their long-term projects instead of allowing them to participate in a pay-as-you-go [...]
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    Posted: May 23, 2009, 10:07am EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for May 22-28, 2009

    OKLAHOMA CITY – Hello again, everybody! As I write this week’s column, I am working in the Senate chamber on the final day of the 2009 session of the Oklahoma Legislature. The adjournment came a week earlier than required by the Constitution; the early adjournment was possible because of a [...]
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    Posted: May 22, 2009, 10:43am EDT

  • The Impact of Substance Abuse

    This issue of substance abuse is a major issue, and one of the most significant policy issues facing the legislature which I have seen first hand in my capacity on several legislative committees.Having served on the Homeland Security Committee, I can speak to the fact that much cost is placed [...]
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    Posted: May 16, 2009, 8:14pm EDT

  • Taking Another Stand for States' Rights

    This week, the Oklahoma House of Representatives once again voted to support a House Resolution authored by State Representative Charles Key which sends a message to the federal government regarding states' rights. This is Key’s second proposal which has been necessitated by a previous version approved in the House and' [...]
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    Posted: May 10, 2009, 6:54pm EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for May 8-14, 2009

    OKLAHOMA CITY – Hello again, everybody! As expected, the differences among policymakers are becoming sharper as the session nears its conclusion. Education is one of the policy areas in which there are clear differences among those of us in the Legislature. The focus of much of the debate this session [...]
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    Posted: May 09, 2009, 9:23pm EDT

  • Autism Bill Only “Relieves Political Pressure” – Senator Gumm

    OKLAHOMA CITY – Following is a statement by Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, author of “Nick’s Law” relating to the enactment of Senate Bill 135:“Sadly, this bill will do nothing to relieve the pressure on families struggling to care for children with autism. The measure was designed to relieve political [...]
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    Posted: May 05, 2009, 2:01pm EDT

  • Great News for Oklahoma Taxpayers

    In the upcoming days, the details surrounding the state's next budget should begin to become public as legislative leadership and the governor's office work through negotiations and determine how to account for the multi-million dollar budget shortfall.Some may see this shortfall as a negative because it will force state leaders [...]
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    Posted: May 04, 2009, 10:10am EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for May 1-7, 2009

    Hello again, everybody! As we enter the final month of session, areas of both agreement and disagreement among legislators will become sharper and more clearly defined. With fewer than 15 legislative days remaining in the 2009 session, it finally appears some work is beginning on the state’s budget. Sadly, though, [...]
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    Posted: May 02, 2009, 7:07am EDT

  • Senator Gumm Comments on Passage of SB 135

    The State of OklahomaOFFICE OF SENATOR JAY PAUL GUMMAtoka, Bryan, Coal, Johnston & Marshall CountiesApril 27, 2009FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Senator Jay Paul GummState Capitol: (405) 521-5586Durant: (580) 924-2221Mobile: (580) 920-6990Note to Editors: Senator Jay Paul Gumm, author of the original Nick’s Law that would have required insurance companies to provide [...]
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    Posted: April 27, 2009, 5:13pm EDT

  • Official English Approved - The Final Month of Session

    Last week marked yet another deadline by which the House of Representatives and Senate had to take action on legislation or risk having the legislation not be heard this year.Much debate centered around whether or not the Senate would approve a bill that would allow the people to vote on [...]
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    Posted: April 26, 2009, 1:16pm EDT

  • Senator Gumm's "Senate Minute" for April 24-30, 2009‏

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everyone! We have reached the point in the 2009 session where every bill still alive has passed both the Senate and the House of Representatives, albeit in different forms.Before any bill can go to the governor, it must pass both the Senate and House in [...]
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    Posted: April 24, 2009, 11:26am EDT

  • Open Door Policy - April 21, 2009

    We have been arguing over contentious legislation over the past two weeks on the House floor as the committee process has concluded. The Representatives are presenting Senate bills for consideration. Each Senate bill must have a Senate author, along with a Representative that will present it while it is on [...]
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    Posted: April 22, 2009, 5:43pm EDT

  • Gumm Continues Effort to Establish Children’s Cabinet

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 20, 2009Sen. Jay Paul Gumm on Monday successfully amended House Bill 1032 to include language that would create Oklahoma’s first-ever Children’s Cabinet. Gumm’s proposal would streamline services for organizations and agencies serving Oklahoma’s children.Gumm, a Durant Democrat, previously authored Senate Bill 697 to establish the Children’s [...]
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    Posted: April 20, 2009, 10:58pm EDT

  • The Tea Party And Term Limits

    The Tea Party and Term LimitsThose who work at the Capitol on a regular basis become rather accustomed to the large number of groups that hold presentations or demonstrations in support of various issues. However, last week, I think a lot of people were caught off guard by the size [...]
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    Posted: April 19, 2009, 8:42pm EDT

  • DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everyone! The ...

    DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everyone! The Senate continued to wade through dozens of House bills every day this last week. Some were good, some were bad, and some were very bad.One bill approved this week will be touted as “the solution” to a serious problem we face in Oklahoma: [...]
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    Posted: April 17, 2009, 6:07pm EDT

  • Open Door Policy - April 13, 2009

    I'll start off the column this week thanking Lauren Brown for paging for me this past week. Lauren is currently a student at Tuttle and I went to high school with her mother, Jennifer (Scott) Gilchrist. Lauren was very active in the mock legislature and I’m sure she will be' [...]
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    Posted: April 17, 2009, 10:55am EDT

  • Representatives Request Funding be Included for Disasters in Current Budget

    Oklahoma House of RepresentativesMedia DivisionApril 15, 2009FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Contact:State Rep. Joe DormanCapitol: (405) 557-7305Representatives Request Funding be Included for Disasters in Current BudgetOKLAHOMA CITY – Although state Rep. Joe Dorman’s resolution to ensure that Oklahoma meets all its obligations when natural disasters hit failed to receive a hearing in the [...]
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    Posted: April 17, 2009, 10:46am EDT
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