As our government and private sectors work to respond to the many ways the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting each of us, one of those of tremendous concern to northwestern Oklahoma is the adverse effect the virus has had on our state’s food supply chain. I think it was a shock for most citizens to go to the grocery store and see empty shelves. This has impacted consumers, and it’s also impacted farmers and ranchers in our state.
Fortunately, $10 million in grants is available now through Oklahoma’s Cares Act Coronavirus Relief Fund. These grants will enable Oklahoma meat processors to build or expand their businesses and create additional meat processing capacity. Grant applications are due to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry by Aug. 14. For more information, call Jason Harvey at 405-606-1477, email at Jason.harvey @ag.ok.gov or visit their website at http://www.ag.ok.gov/mktdev/meatgrant.htm.
Another huge concern related to the COVID-19 pandemic has been clearing the backlog of claims with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC). They’ve been holding a series of in-person events and can offer in person help at all of their 27 regional offices.
As a result of those recent events, they recently helped another 8,000-plus Oklahomans receive unemployment benefits. They’ve also made additional changes in their systems, including removing the tier calling system. First-call resolution has increased by 40 percent. OESC projected by the end of July, more than 10,000 claimants at claims processing events would be served. If you need help, you can contact the Woodward American Job Center at 580-256-3308 or the American Job Center in Guymon at 580-338-8521.
The 2020 U.S. Census count is still underway. For months, my fellow members and I have been encouraging Oklahomans to fill out their census forms in order to ensure our cities, counties and state get all the federal funds we’re entitled to – money for transportation, education, health and many other core services.
As of July 29, the national average response rate was 62.8%, and for Oklahoma, it was 57.4%. Looking at the counties in Senate District 27:
Beaver – 35.9%
Cimarron – 32.7%
Dewey – 37.5%
Ellis – 36.8%
Harper – 41.5%
Major – 55.9%
Texas – 47.2%
Woods – 51.4%
Woodward – 51.7%
Among local communities:
Beaver – 39.9%
Boise City – 36.5%
Seiling – 35.1%
Shattuck – 38.7%
Buffalo – 42.5%
Fairview – 61.5%
Guymon – 53.0%
Alva – 53.2%
Woodward – 54.4%
It only takes a few minutes to complete the census, and you can respond by mail, over the phone by calling 1-844-330-2020, or online at 2020census.gov.
In addition to determining the distribution federal dollars, the results of the census also impact Oklahomans in other ways. The information is used to help redraw the district boundaries for the 48 State Senate and 101 State House district boundaries. Redistricting ensures we keep the population counts as close to the same as possible for all the districts within each chamber.
The Senate is committed to an open and transparent process that includes input from our citizens. We will hold public hearings with an opportunity for comments as well as the public submission of proposed maps of state legislative and congressional districts and public notice will be given before action is taken by the Senate Redistricting Committee which will oversee the process.
More announcements will be coming later this year – I’ll keep you informed.
It is my honor to serve you in the Oklahoma State Senate. You can reach me by calling 405-521-5626 or emailing Casey.Murdock@oksenate.gov.
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