http://hannahshelpinghands.org

Hannah's Helping Hands, Inc. — Our Mission
We are a non-profit 501(c)3 organization providing financial assistance to families with children battling cancer. Many families need help with the most basic needs for their families during this fight for their child’s life. Some must leave work for months and even years to care for their sick child and the financial loss can be devastating. Our goal is to help as many families being treated locally as possible. We help with basic needs such as gas & food cards, groceries, wigs, utility payments, prescriptions, medical co-payments, rent/housing as well as other expenses. Our referrals come from doctors, nurses and staff at a local children’s hospital in Tulsa as well as our local communities.

February 24, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A Senate committee has advanced legislation that will lower the state’s income tax. While much work remains to be done in determining a final course of action, we consider reducing taxes and enabling Oklahomans to keep more of the money they earn to be a fundamental priority. As we pursue this goal, we are also committed to fully funding the core functions of state government. We are taking a deliberative approach with these measures and will give them thorough consideration as they advance through the legislative process.

The State Board of Equalization this week presented lawmakers with a final certification for available revenue for the coming fiscal year. According to the certification, $6.5 billion in revenue will be available for state budgeting in fiscal year 2013, which represents an increase of $47.2 million.

This is another indication the state’s economy is continuing to grow and recover in spite of a nationwide recession. The news also confirms that an expected budget shortfall will be smaller than anticipated.

I was pleased a Senate committee this week approved my proposal to help combat meth manufacturers while protecting consumers’ access to the medicines they need. Senate Bill 1634 would establish a limit on over-the-counter purchases of pseudoephedrine to 3.6 grams and 7.2 grams per month – the recommended therapeutic dosage.

The measure will also allow the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs to track purchases of pseudoephedrine across state lines. This would allow the agency to track purchasers of large quantities of pseudoephedrine and target likely meth manufacturers. This proposal will provide law enforcement with important tools to combat meth, but it will not inhibit the ability of law-abiding citizens to get the medicines they need.

Both houses of the Legislature joined this week to honor our state’s veterans and active duty military personnel for Oklahoma Veterans Day at the Capitol. Maj. Gen. Rita Aragon, Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs, spoke to legislators about her efforts to gain a better understanding of our veterans’ needs.

If you are a veteran and have not contacted the ODVA, please do so by calling (405) 521-3684. The agency can help veterans and their families ensure they are receiving all benefits to which they are entitled. ODVA estimates that Oklahoma is home to 325,000 veterans.

Please feel free to contact me at the state Capitol by calling (405) 521-5566 or by email at brinkley@oksenate.gov.

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