MAP-21, the Highway Bill, and was ultimately enacted as part of the highway bill, Public Law No. 112-141 as Section 32934, which was signed by the President on July 6, 2012. These programs provide continued compensation to rural counties for local road improvements and schools. Last year, Oklahoma received $1.2 million through the SRS program and another $2.6 million in payments in lieu of taxes. Under the guidelines of the PILT program, 65 counties in Oklahoma are eligible for funding. Since then, SRS has funded roadway improvements in McCurtain and LeFlore counties. Senator Inhofe joined his colleagues to introduce the following bills concerning state authority on education and student loans: S. 827, the A PLUS Act: Gives greater flexibility to states by allowing them to consolidate federal education programs and funding to better meet their specific needs in exchange for greater transparency about academic results. S. 1139, the Servicemember Student Loan Interest Relief Act: Provides relief to members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty in hostile areas from accrual of interest on their student loans. S. 2366, Interest Rate Reduction Act: Provides interest rate relief making the 3.4% interest rate on direct Stafford loans first disbursed to undergraduate students between July 1, 2011, and July 1, 2012, applicable to Direct Stafford loans disbursed to undergraduate students between July 1, 2011, and July 1, 2013. S. 427: Sensible School Lunch Act: Prohibits rules and regulations applicable to the school lunch and breakfast programs that establish a maximum quantity of grains, meat, or meat alternates that may be served in any meal or during any period of time of any school year. S. 1210: Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success (A-PLUS) Act: Alternative to Elementary and Secondary Education Act that gives States greater flexibility in how they use education funds and set standards S. 1503: School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act: Allows schools to have epinephrine autoinjectors (Epi pens) on site in case of emergency.
Protecting Tuition Assistance for Members of the Armed Services On March 13, 2013, Senator Inhofe and Senator Hagan (D-N.C.) along with the support of 20 other Senators introduced Senate Amendment 72 to the Continuing Resolution (H.R. 933), legislation which funds the government. The Inhofe-Hagan Amendment successfully passed the Senate on March 20 and reversed a decision within the Obama Administration to end tuition assistance for our service members due to sequestration budget cuts. As a result of Senator Inhofe’s work, tuition assistance was restored to a quarter-million active duty service members. In 2012, more than 300,000 service members took 870,000 classes and earned 50,500 degrees and certificates. This is a promise the nation made to our service members when they join the military, and the Obama Administration chose to cut tuition reimbursement among the many other budget items turning it into an example of politicizing sequestration.
“We at Oklahoma State University, as well as all those involved in higher education in the state of Oklahoma, are grateful to you for your efforts to restore tuition assistance programs to members of the Armed Forces. Without that assistance, many of the men and women who have sacrificed for the betterment of their country would not be able to further their education and reach their professional goals. Again, thanks for your support on this critical issue.” -V. Burns Hargis,
President, Oklahoma State University, March 25, 2013
www.inhofe.senate.gov Inhofe Annual Report | 2012-2013
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