What is an ASDA Legislative Liaison and What Do They Do?
The Legislative Liaison is responsible for representing the University of Oklahoma ASDA chapter at lobbying functions, holding an annual ADPAC drive for the students, and informing students of relevant local and national political issues. Each spring the Legislative Liaisons attend National Student Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. and learn about political issues related to our education and profession, and make appointments to meet with Oklahoma Congressmen and Senators to discuss these topics.
What is ADPAC?
ADPAC stands for American Dental Political Action Committee. The purpose of ADPAC is to be a voice for dentists and dental students – the committee represents our needs to politicians who make decisions regarding our education and careers. ADPAC is a part of the American Dental Association, is non-partisan, and sticks to the issues impacting our profession.
What can I do?
Participate in activities put on by the Legislative Liaisons, such as Pizza and Politics, and join ADPAC. Joining only costs $5 for students and the money goes towards supporting ADPAC’s efforts at the capitol and earns you a nifty ADPAC pin.
What issues were discussed at National Student Lobby Day in 2012?
Student Loan Forgiveness (HR 4170) and Breaking Barriers to Oral Health (HR 1666) were the two bills discussed by Legislative Liaisons at this year’s meeting. National Student Lobby Days lasts two days, the first day being spent on learning about the issues, how to discuss them with politicians, and how the political process works. The second day is spent going to meetings with Congressmen and Senators. Meetings are held with staff members or sometimes with the politicians themselves.
The Student Loan Forgiveness Act would ease the burden of graduate student loans by capping the interest rate of federal loans at 3.4 percent. It would give students the option of having loans forgiven if a graduate makes monthly payments equal to ten percent of their discretionary income for ten years. And the third option is to award loan forgiveness to graduates who enter public service professions to have their loans forgiven in five years instead of ten years.
The Breaking Barriers to Oral Health Act would create a 20 million dollar fund that would better the oral health of underserved populations. Half of the fund would go toward free dental service projects like the Oklahoma Mission of Mercy and the other half going toward public and private dental education projects.
Download Student Loan Forgiveness PDF
Download Breaking Barries to Oral Health PDF
