Senate Gives Approval to National Guard Relief Program

A measure to allow check-off donations from individual and corporate tax refunds to support the Oklahoma National Guard Relief Program received Senate approval today, announced author of the legislation, Senator Mary Easley. House Bill 1780 will create the National Guard Relief Program that will further aid Oklahoma’s men and women serving to protect our nation and our state. Representative Wade Rousselot, D-Wagoner, is the House author of HB 1780.

“I’m extremely pleased this measure was approved by the Senate this morning,” stated the Democrat from Tulsa. “Oklahoma’s Guardsmen and women are dedicated to protect and serve and this program will help to ensure that when they are away protecting our country, their family members at home do not have to worry about making ends meet.”

Senator Easley added, “When Army Guard and Air Guard are called up for active duty, there is a changeover from state pay as guardsmen to federal pay for active duty personnel, which can take up to 30 to 90 days and this measure will help aid those families during that transition period.”

HB 1780 directs the Military Department to create the Oklahoma National Guard Relief Program to provide financial relief for expenses incurred by members of the Oklahoma National Guard. The measure also adds a check-off option to allow donations on income tax refunds that will be deposited in the Income Tax Check-off Revolving Fund for the Support of the Oklahoma National Guard Relief Program. The Military Department may expend the funds to assist National Guard members with expenses.

“During this time of unsettlement in Iraq, which our National Guard members are helping to secure, it is imperative that we take care of the people that are essentially taking care of us. This check-off program will allow every Oklahoma taxpayer to participate in supporting our servicemen and women by donating to the National Guard. This is good public policy and allows everyone to show their support for our troops by voluntarily participating in this check-off program,” concluded Easley.

HB 1780 will now go to the Governor’s office for his signature.