Morrissette Wants Nutrition to be on Legislative Agenda

morrissetteRep. Richard Morrissette is determined to make nutrition a priority during the upcoming legislative session.

The Oklahoma City Democrat plans to introduce two pieces of legislation to help enhance nutrition efforts in the state. Morrissette sponsored an interim study which indicated several state agencies are affected by poor nutrition in Oklahoma. The study was before the House Committee on Children, Youth and Family Services earlier this week.

“We have targeted every agency and specific line items of the state’s budget for examination in an exercise to relate fiscal reports and shortfalls to poor health outcomes,” Morrissette said.

Testimony from health professionals, state agency representatives, and anti-hunger child-focused non-profit organizations were heard in the study called “Inadequate Nutrition and its Role in Poor Brain Development during Pregnancy and Infancy.” Morrissette has concluded poor nutrition is impacting the state budget.

“Each agency has a mission to address particular needs of our citizens. Those needs never seem to be met without budget increases. All the while, data mounts indicating that we are #1 Worst in almost every measure of good health. At some point, it becomes our job as legislators and guardians of tax dollars to connect the dots to see if some picture emerges.” explained Morrissette.

The first piece of legislation Morrissette has planned is called the Oklahoma Child Brain Development Initiative 2016. It would require that annually a nutrition education event be held for public school students and their parents, fresh food pantries be established in public schools, the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) partially funds educational materials to help expectant mothers understand good diets and where to find nutritious foods.

The other Morrissette bill would clear the way for community gardens on public lands, including school property.

“Good food, adequate and appropriate nutrition, is not an option item that we can take lightly. It’s the starting point from which we should be assessing all current and future budget needs. We will not stop the fourth-highest rate of death from all diseases, the second-highest need for mental health care, highest rates of student failure, crime and unemployability, without fixing the nutrition piece,” said Morrissette.


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