OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – The Oklahoma House of Representatives Veterans and Public Safety Caucus looks out for the needs and well-being of the men and women who protect our nation and our communities.
The caucus was established nearly 10 years ago. It was originally called the Veterans Caucus and solely focused on the needs of veterans but has since expanded to also represent the concerns of public servants who work to keep the public safe.
Rep. Ty Burns, R-Pawnee, is the House chair of the Veteran and Public Safety Caucus. He was elected to the position around two years ago.
“Bringing in the public safety portion has been instrumental in expanding what we’re focusing on,” Burns said. “It has made the caucus a lot more diverse as far as what we’re looking at.”
Rep. Collin Duel, R-Guthrie, serves as the House vice chair of the caucus.
“We have law enforcement and firefighters in there as well,” Duel said.
The caucus listens to the needs of Oklahoma veterans, firefighters and police officers and gives special attention to legislation that concerns those groups.
“We’ll have certain people come in and present to the caucus who are interested in what we’re doing up here. Normally, they’re tied to the community, whether it’s law enforcement, firefighters or the military, as well as if there’s any legislation that’s being proposed, we will look at it and discuss it within the caucus and vet it,” Duel said.
Burns said the director of the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) recently met with the caucus to present CLEET’s needs and budget request.
“We’re all cut from the same cloth. We’re all fighting for the same cause and the brotherhood we grew up in,” Burns said.
Public safety personnel have been a crucial addition to the caucus, bringing important voices to the Capitol, Burns said.
“It has made it more robust on several different levels,” he said.
Duel agreed. He said receiving input from such groups and agencies deepens the legislature’s connection to veterans and public safety personnel. Also, many members of the caucus have either a military or public safety background.
“It’s camaraderie. Since we all have that background – whether it’s military, law enforcement or firefighters – we’re able to come together and enjoy each other’s company and enjoy fellowship,” Duel said.
Those bonds help veterans and public safety personnel receive the support they need on the House and Senate floor. But, of course, all potential bills are reviewed by caucus members.
Duel filed a bill this year that helps Veterans Guardian, which is a pre-filing consulting firm that helps veterans achieve the disability rating they are eligible for when they file their claim for VA disability benefits and compensation.
“We brought in Veterans Guardian to have the legislation vetted, to talk about it,” Burns said. “Any big legislation we’re always vetting.”
The caucus’ rules state that legislators who are veterans can automatically be grandfathered into the caucus. However, legislators who have a public safety background must be voted in to become a caucus member.
The House Veterans caucus was once a joint caucus with the Senate Veterans Caucus. Burns said he and fellow caucus members have asked the Senate to restart their Veterans Caucus with a hope that the two caucuses will reunite.
