Yesterday was the last day for lawmakers in Oklahoma to file for 2009.

 

Sally Kern, who was named the Oklahoma Vice Chair on Education this week, was mentioned this week by the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE):

"...When I congratulated him on this victory,  [Senate President Glenn Coffee] gave me a firm handshake, looked me in the eye and said 'we will pass education reforms'.

"This sentiment was echoed by Senate Education Chair John Ford and Vice Chair Clark Jolley. The Oklahoma House is no less enthusiastic with new Education Chair Ann Coody and Vice Chair Sally Kern. They are ready to get things done and, more importantly, ready to work with the Senate to make it happen. Speaker Chris Benge has made education one of his top priorities. I know that the first day people are always optimistic, but on this day the excitement was over the top.

"No less important are Democratic Senator Judy Eason McIntire and Democratic Representative Jabar Shumate who are tired of the old solutions and want to fix Oklahoma schools now...".

Sally Kern had this to say bout the ABCTE:

"Einstein said the definition of insanity is doing the same old things and expecting different results. For far too long this has been the case with education in Oklahoma. Our educational system needs to do something different to really reform the system. American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence is a program whose time has arrived. The ABCTE is an excellent program for finding qualified teachers for Oklahoma's public schools, especially as more and more teachers are starting to retire. I have worked with ABCTE's director, Dave Saba, for the last three years and he is a man with a passion to help students. Oklahoma needs ABCTE and, hopefully, this will be the year is it approved in Oklahoma."

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Also see:  Rep. Kern Files Resolution on Federal Freedom of Choice Act - Bixby Bulletin

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Rep. Sally Kern has filed House Bill 1415, which would exempt seniors from paying a sales tax on their eyeglasses.  About the bill, which would  amend the current sales tax code to include the eyeglasses exemption for persons 65 and older, Kern said:

"Exempting senior citizens, who often rely on a fixed income, from having to pay a sales tax on their eyeglasses is just common sense. I think that this measure will find very little opposition. This exemption would have a very small effect on revenue while relieving the sales tax burden on our senior citizens."

Thursday was the final day that lawmakers could file their bills for the 2009 session. The Legislature is set to convene on Feb. 2, 2009.

 

Also see:  Bill Would Exempt Seniors From Paying Sales Tax On Eye Glasses - KTUL News Channel 8

Sally Kern was first elected to the Oklahoma State House of Representatives on November 2, 2004. Sally and her husband, Dr. Stephen D. Kern, a Southern Baptist minister, were married in 1970 and have two grown sons, one daughter-in-law, and one grandson. Sally is a member of Olivet Baptist Church where her husband is pastor.

Prior to her election, Sally was very active in her church as a Bible teacher and member of the choir, and continues to serve there. She was teaching high school government in Oklahoma City when elected, as well as coaching girl’s golf and volleyball. Sally has taught school about 20 years.

Since Sally is an educator, her priorities in the House revolve around education. Her desire is to see the quality of education improve for all children. Her emphasis in education has been on reading. Reading is a skill students must become proficient in if they are to learn the various subject matters. Although education is a high priority because that is where her life experience is, Sally, also, has many other issues that are important to her.

Since being elected, Sally has served on various committees in the House. In 2005-2006 she was the Vice Chair for the Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education, member of the Common Education, Health and Human Services, and Business and Economic Development committees.

In 2007-2008 she was the Chair of the Human Services Subcommittee on Social Services, and member of the Education, Common Education, and Human Services committees.

Sally graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1971 with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in History. In 1986, she received her teacher certification in Social Studies with an emphasis in Government from East Texas State University.

Sally’s memberships include Olivet Baptist Church, the Northwest Chamber of Commerce, Heart and Hand non-profit ministry, Eagle Forum, Frontier Country Republican Women’s Club, Advisory Board for the Master of Leadership Public Administration at Mid-America Christian University, Tri-Cities Republican Women’s Club, Oklahoma City Republican Women’s Club, and the American Legislative Exchange Council. She is, also, a board member of the Advisory Council for BOTT Radio, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, member of the Office of Personnel Management’s Employee Assistance Program Advisory Council, and member of the Advisory Board for HIRE (Help in Reaching Employment) at the Moore Norman Technology Center. Sally is also a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA).

After her first session in office, Sally was voted “Outstanding Lawmaker of the Year 2005” by the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee (OCPAC) for her conservative voting record. OCPAC also voted Sally “Runner Up Lawmaker of the Year 2005.” In April of 2008, Sally was honored as the first ever recipient of the Family Research Council’s (FCR) “Champion of Faith, Family, and Freedom Award.” OCPAC has again voted Sally “Runner Up Lawmaker of the Year 2008.”

Sally enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and playing golf, and watching football.

 

Be sure to visit Sally Kern on Linked-IN, Facebook, Twitter, and on her official website: RepSallyKern.com