Joe Eddins

Joe T. Eddins (born October 7, 1934) is a retired American politician who served as a Democratic representative in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1995 to 2007. Eddins is best known for helping implement universal preschool in a conservative state.

Eddins graduated from the University of Oklahoma, earning a Bachelor of Arts. Before entering the Oklahoma House, he served on the Vinita city council and the Vinita school board. He was a cattleman for 25 years, and taught math and science to high school students.

Eddins first ran for election to the Oklahoma House in 1992, but was unsuccessful. He was elected in 1994, and reelected every two years until he was term-limited in 2006. He was succeeded by fellow Democrat Chuck Hoskin.

Early life Joe T. Eddins was born on October 7, 1934, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to Earl and Katherine Eddins. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oklahoma in 1953, He taught high school math and science for seven years, and worked as a cattleman for 25 years. Vaughn retired before the 1994 Oklahoma House election, and Eddins won the race to succeed him with 52.3% of the general election vote. He served in the legislature from 1995 to 2007. He was term limited in 2006 and succeeded by Chuck Hoskin.

Universal preschool State schools in Oklahoma receive funding depending on the number of students enrolled. Due to Oklahoma's declining population, schools were experiencing decreased enrollment numbers, which led to less state funding. To compensate for this loss, some Oklahoma schools were enrolling four-year-olds in kindergarten. Because kindergarten was intended for older children, the four-year-olds were struggling to learn.

Eddins introduced legislation in 1998 to resolve this issue. He advertised his bill as preventing four year olds from enrolling in kindergarten, which it did. But he was relatively quiet about how it accomplished this objective: by funding schools to establish optional preschool for four year olds. It also gave school districts the ability to house preschool programs in different locations, such as "tribal programs, churches, and assisted-living facilities". As of the 2016–2017 school year, 73% of four-year-olds in Oklahoma participate.

Personal life Eddins has three sons with his wife, Suzanne.