When People of Good Will Work Together
April 2nd, 2010
DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everyone! Despite the frustration and anger many feel toward government, there are still examples of a system that can work.
An example of how the system can work for the people it was designed to serve occurred this last week. From its start to its eventual finish, it is a story that reminds us that this government “of the people” and “by the people” still can work “for the people.”
Recently, I got a telephone call from a veteran who lives in my district. He had heard that Michigan has special firearm deer hunting days for youth and 100 percent disabled veterans. It is a two-day special hunt, and to qualify, veterans taking advantage of the hunt must have in their possession their disability documentation from the Veterans Administration.
The question this veteran asked was simple, “Can we do this in Oklahoma?” My response was, as it often is in cases like this was, “Let me go to work on this.”
Because we are past the point where a new bill can be introduced, the only way to do this legislatively this year is by offering an amendment to a bill that is yet to be considered by the Senate. The challenge is that our Constitution requires every bill to be on only one subject; unrelated amendments cannot be added to a bill without putting it at risk of being struck down.
So, I went to work looking for a bill that was related to the subject matter and was in the pipeline where I would have a shot at amending it. Once we found such a bill, I drafted the amendment and filed it.
While I was working the legislative angle to get this done, I also made contact with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. My goal was to make certain the agency – which regulates hunting in the state – would not have any concerns with the proposal.
Not only were agency contacts supportive of the idea, they made a suggestion that the Wildlife Commission itself establish a special disabled veterans’ hunt. The commission has the authority to create such special hunts without having to come before the Legislature.
So, this story likely will end successfully; in the next few months, the Wildlife Commission will consider a proposal to create the special hunt in 2011. In short, by taking two tracks to accomplish an important goal, we were able to get it done quickly and efficiently.
This story is important for two reasons. First, it is another way we in Oklahoma can honor those who gave almost that “last full measure of devotion” for our nation. Second, it is proof that when individuals of good will work together, government still can be a positive force for the people it was created to serve.
Thanks for reading this week’s “Senate Minute.” Have a great week, and may God bless you all.