Shannon Speaks To Hometown Crowd
Leaders tout session’s successes
by Kim McConnell Saturday, 15 June 2013
Successes in the 2013 legislative session focused on the areas of workers’ compensation, income tax cuts and infrastructure repairs, House Speaker T.W. Shannon told Lawton business leaders Friday.
Shannon and other members of the area delegation were the guests of honor at an end-of-session legislative luncheon sponsored by the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce. The luncheon traditionally gives chamber members a chance to greet and question area legislators after the completion of session, and this year five members made an appearance: Shannon; Rep. Don Armes, R-Faxon; Rep. Ann Coody, R-Lawton; Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs; and Sen. Don Barrington, R-Lawton.
Shannon, the Lawton native completing his first year as Speaker of the Oklahoma House, drew the bulk of the questions; some directed to him personally, others laughingly referred to “Mr. Speaker” by other legislators.
Shannon, summarizing the recently concluded session, said a majority of time was tied to workers’ compensation reform, explaining that legislative action will move the state to an administrative system expected to trim premium costs by 15 to 20 percent. Shannon said reforms were a priority for many businesses and industries in the state, including one of Southwest Oklahoma’s major employers, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.