As session winds to a close, OEA legislative guru and former Mustang teacher, Ivy Riggs, joins Fried Okra to recap all the twists and turns of this unorthodox session. Including the nearly decade-long journey for a cost-of-living adjustment for public retirees that culminated in the Governor's signature this year.

We also begin our look at the different OEA caucuses with a spotlight on Lawrence Lane and Melani Ford of the Black Caucus. They tell us why caucuses are an imperative function of the Association, how the different perspectives create better understanding of issues, and what people can do to get involved.

The Oklahoma Senate literally debated the COLA as Fried Okra was recording on Friday morning. We spoke with our legislative expert, Amanda Ewing, about what people can do to help ensure this COLA finally makes it way to our retirees after 12 years without.

Call Governor Stitt and tell him to sign the COLA bill at (405) 521-2342 or find the "Contact" tab on governor.ok.gov.

We also are joined by Amber England, spokesperson for State Question 802, about how its passage would improve the lives of every Oklahoman, including our students and schools, without any cost to public education.

Oklahoma House Minority Leader Emily Virgin comes on Fried Okra to discuss SB210 (absentee voting with signed notary), the budget outlook, and how Governor Stitt should spend federal education dollars.

We are also joined by Putnam City North social studies teacher, Aaron Baker, who reads his original poem "Those Who Can't" and answers questions on how he uses his talents to advocate for the classroom.

Paul Shinn, Budget and Tax Senior Policy Analyst with the Oklahoma Policy Institute, does a fantastic job summarizing how the legislature will even begin building a budget on Monday, what a potential financial crisis means, and the options our state has to cushion the damage for public services.

Also, OEA member and Tahlequah resident Chuck Pack and President Alicia Priest break down the Association's Fund for Children and Public Education, how it helps promote education-friendly candidates outside of member's dues dollars, and how you can create great change by giving just a little.

Links from the podcast

FCPE - okea.org/fcpe

- Horace Mann e-learning library: https://www.horacemann.com/teaching-online

- NEA COVID-19 Grants: https://www.neafoundation.org/for-educators/covid-rapid-response-grants/

After Governor Stitt announced the possibility of using federal COVID-19 dollars for school vouchers, Oklahoma educators came out in waves to let him know what students and schools in the state actually need. So much so, that they temporarily crashed the Governor's website. Amanda Ewing breaks down where those efforts currently stand.

Pastors For OK Kids' Clark Frailey also joins Fried Okra to speak on the important connection between faith and the history of public schools in Oklahoma.

Amanda Ewing helps explain the drama at the Capitol before looking at candidate filings and how it impacts educators, including which races you will be able to vote for an OEA member.

Piedmont 6th grade science teacher and 2019 Oklahoma Science Teaching Association Middle-Level Teacher of the Year, Melissa Lau, who has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and NowThis, joins the podcast to discuss how she and her students have handled the transition to distance learning. Lau also reminisces about her time as a PolarTREC educator traversing the north slope of Alaska with scientists and how that has shaped her paradigm as a teacher.

OEA's executive director of legislative and political organizing, Amanda Ewing, returns to Fried Okra to break down the wild week at the Capitol.

David Glenn from NEA Member Benefits also drops by to explain all of the incredible benefits educators receive just by being a member of OEA.

State Senator Roger Thompson of Oklahoma's 5th District joins friED OKra to talk about the legislature returning for a special session on Monday and answers questions on what Oklahoma's budget may look like this year and next.

The Congresswoman for Oklahoma's 5th District, Kendra Horn, joins friED OKra ahead of the House of Representatives' vote on the $2 trillion stimulus package that just passed the Senate and how it affects Oklahoma students, educators, and communities.

We also catch up with NEA Director of Government Relations, Marc Egan, who curates the education aspects of the CARES Act in detail.

Oklahoma State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister returns to friED OKra to discuss the statewide school closures and answers questions to help students, educators, parents, and community members through this unprecedented time.

Carrie and Alicia also speak with Terri Gray from the OEA Elections Committee, who shines a light on OEA's democratic process and how members can participate in elections happening right now.