Business news

Virus relief tops $250M

Gov Kevin Stitt announced the rected our team to streamline its reState will be allocating approximately imbursement process and to deliver $250 million in CARES Act Coronmore flexibility for getting these critiavirus Relief Funds (CRF) to Oklacal funds out the door,” said Gov. homa cities and counties based on Stitt. “The new CRF allocation model their population. will ensure city and county govern

This change allows for city and ments have equitable access and county governments to access CRF more foresight as they plan for the dollars more quickly and with maxiremainder 2020.” mum efficiency. The State’s new CRF allocation

“For the past two months, the model designates a portion of the State has closely followed guidance $250 million to each city and county from the federal government in how based on a formula of $77 per to distribute critical Coronavirus Recapita. The model calculates city and lief Funds to state agencies, cities county populations using the latest and counties. After working with and 2019 Census estimates, and county observing the fiscal impact of populations solely reflect unincorpoCOVID-19 on local governments, I dirated areas.

Ashlyn Johnson joins Full Sail Capital

Full Sail Capital has added ing the firm.” client services specialist AshJohnson is a University of lyn Johnson to its growing Central Oklahoma graduate, team of financial professionwho is pursuing a master’s deals. gree in counseling psychology

“We are thrilled to have from MidAmerica Christian Ashlyn on board,” said David University. Pryor to joining Stanley, chief executive offiFull Sail, Johnson spent four cer of Oklahoma City-based years with LifeSquire, providFull Sail Capital. “Her energy Johnson ing personal and executive asand passion for serving othsistant services to a diverse ers make her a perfect fit for our orrange of clients. ganization.” She also served as the company’s

Johnson is joining a team dedivolunteerism coordinator, organizing cated to administrative and other work projects benefiting nonprofit orclient-support services. ganizations such as the Regional

“Meeting people and developing Food Bank of Oklahoma, Homeless meaningful connections with others Alliance and Focus on Home. comes naturally for me,” Johnson Johnson grew up in Edmond and said. “Full Sail puts people first, and lives in Midwest City, where she enthat’s why I’m so excited about joinjoys running, hiking and gardening.

PHOTO PROVIDED State Rep. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, (second from right) attends a ceremonial bill signing for House Bill 3350, which grants cost-of-living adjustments to state retirees, at the state Capitol. Affects former state workers

Bill signed granting hikes in retirees’ pension plans

According to the Edmond Economic Development Authority, Expressions Gift Boutique, a new locally-owned and operated gift boutique, recently opened in Edmond at 1712 S. Kelly Ave.

The store offers a variety of items including lingerie, makeup and fashion jewelry as well as gift bags and greeting cards. Products from boutique publisher Studio Oh! are available, including notebooks and other paper products. Customers can also shop for que brand collapsible water bottles in a variety of colors. Visitors to the store can enter to win the monthly gift basket drawing.

Expressions is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The store is closed Sunday and Monday. Expressions is offering curbside product pickup as well as in-store shopping. Sanitizer, masks and gloves are available for customers shopping in the store.

State Rep. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, last week attended the ceremonial bill signing for House Bill 3350, which granted cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirees in Oklahoma pension plans, including teachers, firefighters, police, public employees and justices and judges.

The bill was formally signed into law in May and took effect July 1. Ceremonial bill signings allow lawmakers and some of their constituents most affected by legislation to attend.

HB 3350 bases COLAs on the number of years individuals have received retirement benefits from the state. Those retired for five years or more as of July 1 received a 4% increase in monthly pension payments. Those retired at least two years but not five got a 2% increase.

Frix, the principal author of the bill said he’s fought for COLA legislation since being elected in 2016.

“After talking to so many state retirees who have waited so long for an increase in their benefit,” Frix said, “it was gratifying today to see pen put to paper to symbolize the relief this legislation brings for these dedicated public servants.”

Frix pointed out that it has been 12 years since these former state employees received a COLA, even as they’ve seen the cost of health insurance premiums and other living expenses rise.

The measure passed unanimously in the House with vote of 99-0 and in the Senate by a vote of 41-5.

Frix said the COLA represents a fiscally responsible agreement that keeps the state’s pension plans on healthy fi

PHOTO PROVIDED Some of the merchandise offered at the new Expressions Gift Boutique at 1712 S. Kelly Ave.

Expressions Gift Boutique

New retail shop open

nancial footing.