The Work Continues
July 2nd, 2010
Hello again, everyone! State government has entered a relatively slow period of the year.
The previous fiscal year ended on June 30, and the new one – the funding for which comes from the budget the Legislature passed last session – began July 1. State agencies are taking a collective deep breath as they begin to operate under this new budget, all the while hoping revenues will indeed come in to prevent even deeper cuts in state services.
In my Senate office we have a time of change as well. My Capitol executive assistant over the past five years – Susie Kalivoda – has retired after many excellent years of state service.
Many of you know Susie from your phone calls to my office and her stellar work on behalf of you, the people I represent. Hers was the first voice you heard when you called my Capitol office. In many ways she is irreplaceable; still, I know the thousands of you who have visited with her join me in wishing her a very happy retirement.
This week, a new voice will be answering the phone in my Capitol office. That voice belongs to Jeri Holland and she is a veteran Senate executive assistant who is well prepared to take over for Susie.
It is important that my executive assistant understands how to help the people I represent cut through bureaucratic red tape. It is also important that my executive assistant understands the district and people who have entrusted me to be their voice. Our area was very blessed to have Susie in that role; I am confident we will be similarly blessed with Jeri.
She certainly understands the district. Jeri has family that lives in the district, and she spends many holidays and weekends here. Also, as someone who has worked for other senators, Jeri understands how we get things accomplished for the people I serve. She is a great fit for our district and I am grateful she will be helping the thousands of Oklahomans I serve.
If you have any comments, questions or concerns about any issue relating to state government, please contact my Capitol office. The district number that rings my Capitol office is (580) 924-2221; you can also reach it by calling (405) 521-5586.
To keep up with the latest news about my work on your behalf, you can always check my website at www.gumm.us; it is updated almost daily. There, you will find a link to the Oklahoma Senate’s website and a way to contact me through email. The website is packed with information about my service on your behalf.
Finally, modern technology has given us the ability to provide for real time updates about important issues and what is happening in state government and the district. You can follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jpgumm and on Twitter at twitter.com/jpgumm.
Thanks for reading this week’s “Senate Minute.” I hope you had a great Independence Day holiday, and may God bless you all.