By Margaret Hicks
Staff Writer
mhicks@TheOklahomaEagle.net
A Bill Becoming Law
Back in January of 1973 McCaffrey & McCall introduced to television a series of short animated musical educational films titled Schoolhouse Rock! One of the series was How a Bill Becomes a Law. One can imagine Oklahoma State Representative Regina Goodwin (D-HD73) sitting in front of her television set, as a child, saying, “I can do that!” And “do that” is what she has been doing since her election in 2015; turning ideas into bills and working to get them to become law.
Most recently, Goodwin has authored Oklahoma House Bill 1357 (HB1357); Public health and safety; creating the Caregiver Support Act. This bill was authored by Goodwin on February 6, 2017 and had its first reading in the House that same say. Republican Senator AJ Griffin became the principal senate author on March 2. This bill had its third reading in the House on March 22, and was passed with 78 ayes and six nays.
On March 23, this Bill was engrossed, signed and sent to the Senate where it had its first reading that day and the measure was passed with 39 ayes and 0 nays on April 18 and was engrossed, signed and returned to the House where it was referred to the Governor for consideration.
Goodwin had this to say: “So, so glad my House Bill 1357 Oklahoma Family Caregiver Act with Sen. AJ Griffin as senate author has now passed on the senate floor unanimously 39-0 and is headed to the Governor’s desk for signing into law. Happened same day we celebrated Sen. Horner ‘s 25-year law, Oklahoma’s Promise providing student scholarships.
Now, the Caregiver bill expands access to caregivers for training, counsel and money via vouchers. 540,000 Oklahomans are juggling work and schedules, while spending on average 20 hours a week caring for our young and elderly loved ones. Special thank you for the work and support of Lance Robertson, Director Dept. of Human Services(DHS), Renee Banks, DHS Legislative Liaison, Mark Nichols, AARP, Margaret Love, Senior Advocate, Stacey Johnson, Mrs. Fox, Caregivers Coalition, Grace Burke, Morton Health Center and the Oklahoma Agency on Aging.”
About Senator Horner
Goodwin had the following to say about Horner: “Senator Horner and family celebrating 25 years of law SHE created, now known as Oklahoma’s Promise, 76,000 students have been awarded scholarships. It was initially known as the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP). Senator Horner said, ‘This is the best day of my life.’ What a blessing to join in honoring Sen. Horner.”
