Oklahoma Capitol briefs for March 16, 2013

Paid and volunteer firefighters from across the state are expected to rally on the south steps of the state Capitol to voice concerns about legislation affecting pensions and the workers' compensation system. The rally, led by the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association, is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday. Rick Beams, president of the Professional Firefighters of Oklahoma, said firefighters must stand united to oppose attempts at reducing injury compensation benefits and changing the workers' compensation system from a court system to an administrative system. Firefighters plan to visit lawmakers after the rally.

Governor to speak at Harvard

Gov. Mary Fallin will be among featured speakers Monday at a Harvard University conference on education and workforce development. The governor will focus on education initiatives in Oklahoma such as degree and certificate completion, the strength of the CareerTech centers and the need to work closely with the business community to produce a skilled workforce. The Creating Pathways to Prosperity conference, sponsored by the Pathways to Prosperity Project, brings together representatives from education, business, government and philanthropy to discuss education and workforce development. The project is based in the Harvard Graduate School of Education and aims to find solutions to prepare young adults to lead successful lives in America.