The Center for Public Integrity: Tornado Shelter firm lobbies for federal tax relief

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As a result of the tornadoes causing havoc in Oklahoma, a storm shelter company moves to Washington, D.C., in search of financial aid - and has hired a prominent lobbyist to help to.

Base of the City, Oklahoma OZ SafeRooms contracted firm McDermott, Will & Emery to put pressure on the federal Government in "storm shelter relief tax legislation," according to documents filed this week with the Senate of United States.

To date, there is no pending bill in Congress this year that calls for tax residential shelters from the storm, although the Senator Jim Inhofe, R - Oklahoma, introduced this legislation - died in Committee - in 2011. Federal prosecutors apparently would do OZ SafeRooms more affordable products to homeowners.

OZ SafeRooms has little experience in Washington, since the company has never put pressure on the federal Government before and not sponsoring a Committee of federal political action, according to Federal records.

However, the storm shelter company will be represented by one of the largest stores of lobby in Washington.

McDermott, Will & Emery had won nearly $1.4 million in lobbying revenue through the first three months of this year, according to the Center for sensitive policy. The firm has wide range of customers, including Allergan pharmaceuticals, the Brewers Association and the Coalition for rational and fair taxation.

Teddy Eynon, partner at McDermott, Will & Emery, personally you lobby for on Capitol Hill OZ SafeRooms.

Before joining McDermott and several other teams lobbying in Washington, Eynon served as Deputy Chief of staff to former Congressman John Shadegg, R-Ariz.., between 1999 and 2002 and as an advisor to the former representative Elton Gallegly, R - California, between 1997 and 1998.

OZ SafeRooms spokesman declined to comment on the activity of the company lobbying. Eynon did not return several requests for comment.

But OZ SafeRooms is to talk openly about the durability of their shelters storm, with the company's website showing several photos of their structures of concrete poured says survived a "direct hit in Moore, Oklahoma, no damage." Describes its shelters as "the world safer tornado protection."

Two separate tornadoes cut through the municipalities of Moore and El Reno Oklahoma at the end of may, claiming dozens of lives and injuring hundreds of people. The Reno tornado is believed to it widest tornado ever observed about 2.6 kilometers in diameter.

Account of Inhofe 2011 storm shelter calls individuals to receive a tax deduction of up to $2,500 for the purchase, construction and installation of storm shelters.

Unsuccessful Inhofe Bill followed a series of tornadoes in his home State during September 2011, and is not clear as to whether plans to reintroduce it. Inhofe representative could not be reached for comment.

After the last tornado in Oklahoma, the Mayor of Moore, Okla., called for a new Ordinance requiring all new homes that have reinforced the storm shelters, telling the Associated Press can cost around $4,000 to build.

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Tornado Survivor, 5, Killed By Family Friend's Dog

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A 5-year-old tornado survivor was killed by the dog of a family friend whose house he had been staying at following the devastating May 20 storm in Moore, Okla.

The boy, whose name has not been released, died Sunday after he was attacked by a 150-pound Bullmastiff at a home in Jessieville, Ark. The attack occurred after the child had been crying in the home, according to NBC affiliate KARK.

"The child was putting on some shoes and was crying and upset," Garland County Deputy Scott Hinojosa told the station. "The dog possibly took that as being aggressive and at that time the child was attacked."

While a woman was calming the boy down, the dog came in from another room and lunged at him, according to KTHV. The woman tried to separate the two but was unsuccessful, so she called her husband for help. By the time he arrived, she had gotten them apart. The man then rushed the child to Mercy Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

KATV reports the boy acted out against the female owner. The dog likely saw this as a threat and moved to protect its master.

The dog ran away from the home following the incident, but police later told KTHV that it was captured on Monday and was put down.

The boy and his 2-year-old sister had been staying with family friends in Jesseville as their parents worked to rebuild their home in Moore.

A county law fines owners $500 if their pet attacks a person or another animal, KATV notes. A community meeting was scheduled for Monday to discuss whether to ban breeds or enact mandatory rules like neutering, micro-chipping and containment. There has been strong opposition against some of these measures.

Bullmastiffs are powerfully built dogs with high intelligence and are known for their willingness to please, according to the American Kennel Club. They are considered ideal family pets and companions. The AKC describes the breed as "fearless and confident yet docile."

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Oklahoma Tornado: Death Toll From Storm And Flooding Rises

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OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma medical examiner's office says the death toll from tornadoes and subsequent flooding late last week has reached 20.

The agency said Wednesday that the additional victim was a girl who died in Oklahoma City. It didn't provide her name.

Storms that swept through the Oklahoma City area on Friday generated an EF5 tornado and violent flash floods. The tornado was the widest one ever recorded – 2.6 miles long.

Oklahoma emergency officials have said many of those who died in Oklahoma City were drowning victims who were swept away while taking shelter from the tornado in storm drainage ditches.

Nine of the 20 victims died from blunt force injuries typical from flying debris in tornadoes. The cause of death for two of the victims is listed as drowning.

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After Oklahoma Tornado, charities see influx of aid

OKLAHOMA CITY, charity relief to residents of neighborhoods devastated by tornado in Oklahoma City and Moore are watching an infusion of donations from across the country as Americans open their pocketbooks to help the people in the State before.

Several of these charities will also probably see a boost to give Wednesday when several stars of country music with Oklahoma ties take to the stage at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in the center of Oklahoma City for a Telethon, "in the heart: charity concert for relief." The artists are scheduled to include native of Oklahoma Blake Shelton and his wife of the winner of the Grammy Award, Miranda Lambert, as well as natives of Oklahoma Vince Gill and Reba McEntire. Also set to perform are Usher, Darius Rucker and Rascal Flatts.

The money raised through the Telethon will go directly to United Way of Central Oklahoma, which will distribute funds to partner agencies directly involved in helping the efforts of recovery and relief for those affected by the tornado on May 20, said Karla Bradshaw, spokeswoman for United Way of Central Oklahoma.

"Are those who are now dealing with the immediate needs," said Bradshaw.

Donations have poured to Oklahoma from two large tornadoes ripped through the State last week, killing 26 people and affecting nearly 4,000 homes, businesses and buildings in five boroughs. Twenty-four people, including 10 children, were killed on May 20 tornado that hit the suburb of Oklahoma City's Moore.

The Salvation Army reported on Tuesday afternoon that has already raised more than $5 million in cash contributions, as well as donations of food in kind of numerous corporations.

A spokesman for the army of salvation in Moore said giving money that way people can help better.

"At this time our greatest need should be flexible, and is the best way people can help with monetary donations," said Salvation Army spokeswoman Jennifer Dodd. "We spend that money locally to help boost the local economy... and it allows you to pass on what we need."

Dodd said that many people have clothing drives to help benefit local residents, but that can pose problems for charities and other groups that do not have the space to store the items.

"Only a hundred pounds of clothes around the country sending logistics, is terribly expensive and then you have to worry about if you have room on the floor," said Dodd. "Now, we have that use our space and warehouse distribution network for is food and hydration and things as well".

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