Every year, employees who use payroll deduction for professional organization fees and political contributions must sign a written notice saying employees know they don't have to join a professional organization and then confirm they signed it. It is a barrier designed to discourage membership and a waste of staff time and resources.

This is a targeted attack on the Oklahoma Education Association.

Lawmakers have said it will only affect OEA and not other groups with our exact same tax status. The goal is to specifically target the collective power of educators and support staff. Plain and simple.

The bill targets education organizations. Not plumbers. Not first responders. Not firefighters. Nor any other professional organization.

This is copy-and-paste legislation that has passed in other states. Outside forces push these measures designed to hurt our collective power, and, unfortunately, it works.

The idea has popped up in Oklahoma education committees in the past, but rarely gained traction. However, this year, it was assigned for a vote in the Judiciary Committee, which is chaired by the bill's author, Sen. Julie Daniels.

Senate leaders came in to vote with the committee to ensure it passed. This is very rare and a disturbing signal.

Please send a letter, call, text, etc. to your state representatives and tell them to vote NO on SB 634.