Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
For Immediate Release: March 9, 2009
Sen. Don Barrington
Senate Approves Bill Allowing Income Tax Refunds
to be Donated
to Folds of Honor Scholarship Program
The Senate unanimously approved legislation Monday
that could help the spouses and children of military personnel
killed or injured in combat pursue a higher education. Senate
Bill 721, by Sen. Don Barrington, would allow Oklahomans to donate
part or all of their income tax refund to the Folds of Honor Scholarship
Program.
“These families have already had so much taken away from
them. They shouldn’t have to give up their dream of getting
a college degree too,” said Barrington, R-Lawton. “This
is a tremendous scholarship program that has helped many families
better their lives by helping them get degrees, and through this
legislation many more could get assistance.”
Under SB 721, a check off box would be added to each state individual
income and state corporate tax return form for tax years beginning
after December 31, 2009 to allow Oklahomans to donate a portion
or all of their income tax refund to these scholarships. The Folds
of Honor Scholarship Program provides academic and vocational
training scholarships to the spouses and children of military
personnel who are either killed or wounded in action due to military
service in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“The program was started to make sure that the families
of these soldiers are taken care of just as those soldiers laid
their lives down to help others,” said Barrington. “Helping
their families is a great way for us to show our gratitude and
respect for the ultimate sacrifice these soldiers made for each
and every one of us.”
SB 721 will next be heard in the House.
For more information contact:
Sen. Barrington's Office: 405-521-5563
