On behalf of All Working Blind Individuals that choose to work rather than collect a disability check.

SUBJECT: House Bills 1196; 2230; & 2278

These house bills are attempting to amend Oklahoma Statute Title VII whereby County Commissaries would become exempt from the statute; thereby removing opportunities for blind individuals to become self-supporting rather than depending on a disability check.

In 1994 in the case of Glanz v. McCray, the Tulsa County Commissioners and Sheriff lost the case where they tried to remove a blind individual from making an honest living. Now it seems they are attempting the same battle on a new battlefield.

Mike Spencer, the current blind individual operating the Tulsa County Jail Commissary not only employs his regular full time staff but also employs part-time jail detention officers.

In the year 2016 the following agencies/individuals benefited from the earnings of this county commissary:

Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department $ 110,492.00

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitative Services nbsp; 73, 662.00

Oklahoma Tax Commission $ 115,016.00

Jail Detention officers & Commissary Employees $ 204,084.00

Aramark (Kiosk and equipment supplier) $ 169,060.00

Oklahoma vendors supplying commissary products $ 653,471.00

Mr. Spencer played OU football through two National Championships then went to work as a dock supervisor until he lost his vision overnight in the mid 1990’s and was forced to quit. He went unemployed for years until he learned of the EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES afforded blind individuals provided by Title VII.

He continues to operate Tulsa County Commissary and deliver commissary goods to inmates when he is never paid by Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department in a timely fashion.

Currently the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department is behind in payments for goods delivered to inmates by Mr. Spencer to the tune of $ 77,000.00. Delinquent payments are very normal for the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department but they continue to demand purchase and delivery of commissary goods which Mr. Spencer must pay for while awaits his payment.

It seems that the greed of the Tulsa representatives: Kirby, Mulready and O’Donnell and the Tulsa County Sheriff’s department is more important than allowing blind and other disabled individuals the right to earn a living and contribute to society in a positive manner.

WORKING BLIND INDIVIDUALS ARE BEING TREATED UNFAIRLY.

Mike Spencer

918-640-1807