Senate Review by Senator J.J. Dossett

I’m grateful that no injuries were reported in our district after a tornado destroyed and damaged homes in Owasso and other nearby communities. Our office has been in communication with local and state emergency personnel who are assessing the extent of the damage. I’m appreciative of the work they do, as well as the first responders who assisted after the storm moved through.

This serves as a reminder that this time of year in particular, we all need to pay close attention to the weather, and be proactive about preparing for the possibilities of severe storms. That includes having an emergency kit packed that includes flashlights and batteries, freshwater, a first aid kid and a weather radio and batteries. It’s also important to know where you’d go in the event of a tornado—whether it is a safe room or underground shelter in your own home, an interior space away from windows, or another location.

What people may not realize is that while tornados and lightening can cause injuries and death, the deadliest weather risk is actually flooding. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood waters.

Despite warnings about “turn around, don’t drown” as well as signs and even barricades, far too often, people decide to drive on through. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol conducted more than 110 water rescues last year—but that figure doesn’t include rescues made by local and county responders.

The problem is, not only does driving into flooded roadways put the driver’s life at risk—it also puts the lives of passengers as well as police, fire and other rescuers at risk.

This session I’m the Senate author of HB 2249 that targets people who drive around, damage or remove barricades or other traffic control devices used to close sections of roads or highways because of flooding. If convicted it would be a misdemeanor with a fine of at least $1,000. If the person has someone in the vehicle who is 18 or younger, the fine is a minimum $2,500 and up to a year in jail. In addition, the individual would have to pay for the cost of the emergency response and the cost of repairing or replacing any damaged or loss equipment. They would also be liable for any damage to property or injury or death.

The bill has been approved by the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety, and will next be considered by the full Appropriations Committee.

I welcome your comments on state government and the issues before us. Please feel free to contact me by writing to Senator J.J. Dossett at the State Capitol, Room 521-A, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105; call me at (405) 521-5566.

If someone would like to place an order they can contact me at dtrobbins71@gmail.com. Also any and all donations are welcome!

Thank you for supporting your 6x State Champion Wrestlers!

Go Cards! -- Danielle Robbins (3/30/2016)

This week's book fair is a Buy One, Get One FREE Sale. The free item must be equal or lower price than the item purchased. The Fair is open from 7:45 am - 3 pm daily.

100 % of the proceeds of the fair go toward purchasing books for the high school library! Please come by and shop to support the library. We have a beautiful new space and we need to FILL the Shelves!

-- Thanks! Betty L. Gowler (4/4/2016)

Insurance Commissioner Doak Supporting Tulsa's First FORTIFIED Home

WHAT: Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) launched a new initiative in Oklahoma to strengthen homes in areas prone to high winds and hail, making communities more resilient. To support this initiative, State Farm is presenting a check to Tulsa Partners to initiate the construction of the first FORTIFIED Home™ in Tulsa in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

WHEN: TODAY, Thursday, March 31; 10:30 a.m. CST

WHERE: Kendall Whittier Library, 21 South Lewis Ave., Tulsa, OK 74104

WHO: Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak

State Farm Underwriting Section Manager David Hall

IBHS Director of Public Affairs, FORTIFIED Programs Tiffany O’Shea

Habitat for Humanity Tulsa Executive Director Cameron Walker

Tulsa Partners Executive Director Tim Love

WHY: IBHS research demonstrates that property damage from EF-0 and EF-1 tornadoes can be virtually eliminated by making homes stronger and more resilient. IBHS’ new FORTIFIED Home™–High Wind and Hail programs help homeowners strengthen their homes against low level tornadoes and high winds at the edges of strong tornadoes, straight-line wind events, severe thunderstorms and hailstorms. Places like Moore, Oklahoma, that have been continually devastated by tornadoes, have already started revising their building codes to incorporate stronger provisions. In 2014, following the third deadly tornado in five years to decimate their community, Moore’s City Council adopted stronger codes based on IBHS’ FORTIFIED superior construction standards.

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About the Oklahoma Insurance Department

The Oklahoma Insurance Department, an agency of the State of Oklahoma, is responsible for the education and protection of the insurance-buying public and for oversight of the insurance industry in the state.

April 18 from 3-4 pm - Cool Beans! TCCL has a Seed Library! Get free seeds to grow your own garden. We will learn how check out seeds, talk about gardening, and plant a vegetable. For ages 10-18.

April 20 from 3-4 pm - PAWS for Reading - Registered therapy dogs are excellent listeners. Children ages 5-12 are invited to read their favorite book to a furry, four-pawed friend. Each reader will receive a free book provided by the Tulsa Library Trust.

We are recruiting Teen Team 2016 Volunteers for this summer reading program.

What is Teen Team?

The Teen Team is TCCL’s summer volunteer corps of 13-15 year-olds who assist librarians with the Children’s Summer Reading Program, shelving, and other library duties and activities. Some Teen Team members even end up dressing as the library’s mascot, Buddy the Bookworm!

The benefits of being a Teen Team member include working with people of all ages, gaining work experience that doubles as community services hours and acquiring organizational and clerical skills. TCCL has hired many past Teen Team members after they reached the legal working age.

Teen Team applications are available now through May 1st at all TCCL locations and on the library’s website for teens at http://teens.tulsalibrary.org/tccl/teen-team. Teens interested in applying must return their completed applications to the library where they want to work during the summer.

MEET AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR JASON REYNOLDS

THURSDAY, APRIL 7 • 7 P.M. HARDESTY REGIONAL LIBRARY CONNOR’S COVE 8316 E. 93RD ST. 918.549.7550. For more information visit our website at http://www.tulsalibrary.org/sites/default/files/homeblocks/HR_author-jason-reynolds-event-poster_16_sm.pdf

Thanks, Robin Bushyhead