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In my last column, I encouraged people to turn out to vote, and they did! According to unofficial results from the state election board, Oklahomans cast 1,564,573 ballots for president this year – nearly 4,000 more than the last presidential election. Of course, Oklahomans overwhelmingly voted to return former President Donald Trump to the White House, and the rest of the nation did as well. Early results show he won not only enough Electoral College votes to secure his spot as the 47th p...
In-person, absentee or early voting starts this week for the Nov. 5 general election. According to the Oklahoma Election Board, you can vote early in your county at your designated early voting location from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Oct. 30 through Nov. 1, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2. You must vote in the county where you are registered. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5. To find your polling place or a sample ballot, visit t...
There are two state questions on the November general election ballot. I wanted to give some information about them to help voters understand them. State Question 833, if passed, would amend the Oklahoma Constitution to permit the creation of a Public Infrastructure District (PID) within a municipality to finance infrastructure improvements through the sale of bonds. To create such a district, 100% of all surface property owners within the proposed district's boundaries must sign a petition...
Last week, I attended an interim study on Oklahoma's water usage, monitoring and oversight, hosted by Sen. Brent Howard. It was a five-hour study, but well worth the time as we heard from various stakeholders. These included those who use water to irrigate their farm and ranch land, commercial users such as those from the oil and gas industry, as well as experts from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) and others who've long studied water use and have suggestions for better ways to...
I want to clear up some misinformation circulating about legislation that's affected some state investments with companies that have Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) policies. Some are arguing that the Legislature and the state treasurers are inserting politics into the investment strategies of state retirement systems. I must point out that it is the investment companies with ESG polices that are themselves inserting politics into the system. They are the ones using environmental,...
It's interim study time at the State Capitol. I have several planned for this fall. One study will examine the emergency and deferred maintenance needs and operational costs at our Oklahoma State Parks. The study also will review the economic impact of the parks on local communities. The hope is to preserve our parks. Some parks need upgrades to water, sewer or natural gas lines. Others need electrical upgrades or remodeling of restrooms or older buildings. One concern in our area is an...
Some people are calling for an impeachment investigation into our elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters. First, let's deal with the matter of impeachment. The Oklahoma Constitution, Article VIII, states that the governor and other elective state officers, including the justices of the state Supreme Court, shall be liable and subject to impeachment for willful neglect of duty, corruption in office, habitual drunkenness, incompetency, or any offense involving moral turpit...
In just a few weeks, Oklahomans will pay less at the grocery store, thanks to the largest single-year tax cut in state history. During our last legislative session, the Legislature passed, and the governor signed into law, House Bill 1955, which eliminated the state's portion of the tax on groceries. The cut takes effect Aug. 29. This is estimated to put $418 million back into the pockets of Oklahomans at a time when they need it to combat inflation and unemployment. Using available Consumer...
Overall, I was pleased with this legislative session. The middle was a bit contentious, but in the end we were able to negotiate a fair and equitable budget that serves the needs of Oklahomans while giving some relief to taxpayers. The state's portion of the grocery tax, 4.5%, will be removed in August, providing some late summer relief at the grocery store. We placed an additional $1.3 billion into state savings to better prepare us for any potential shortfall. We funded some very worthwhile...
The 59th Legislature adjourned sine die May 30, a day before the Oklahoma Constitution required. I have to admit, I was a little concerned this year that we'd have to go into special session to accomplish a balanced budget, but we were able to approve it in time. With a budget agreement reached between the House, Senate and the governor the week prior, the last week of session was devoted to passing individual budget bills in the Joint Committee on Appropriations & Budget and on the floors of...
After weeks of negotiating a state budget in public meetings, it's rewarding to have a product House and Senate leadership and the governor have agreed upon. Over the next week, we'll hear final budget legislation in committees and on the floor of each chamber. I appreciated getting to be in the room and give input during this part of the process this year. This is beyond what I've done in the past as chair of the Appropriations & Budget Natural Resources Subcommittee – delivering reports on p...
We are deep into the budget process at the state Capitol with a series of public budget summits being held between House and Senate leadership and the governor. Although frustrating at times, I'm pleased that budget leaders are all in the same room at the same time. This process tests those involved, but it's important everything be done openly. I've been able to be more involved in the process than ever this year, and I really enjoy the challenge and the opportunity that presents. I've gotten t...
I listened to a speech this week made by one of my colleagues who has chosen not to run again for his legislative seat. He spoke about why he ran for office in the first place – a desire to make state government work for the betterment of the people. It's the reason we're all here, he challenged the rest of the membership. He's right. He said he believes in the institution of the state Legislature with all his heart, and believes it should be protected and conserved, because it has the a...
The House last week failed Senate Joint Resolution 34, which sought to dismantle the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and would instead have asked voters to allow the governor to appoint judges with House and Senate approval, without the vetting process of the JNC. There's been a lot of advertising and publicity on this measure, to the point that it's bordering on harassment. I voted against this resolution, which ultimately failed, and I wanted to share my thoughts with my constituents...
The House last week failed Senate Joint Resolution 34, which sought to dismantle the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and would instead have asked voters to allow the governor to appoint judges with House and Senate approval, without the vetting process of the JNC. There's been a lot of advertising and publicity on this measure, to the point that it's bordering on harassment. I voted against this resolution, which ultimately failed, and I wanted to share my thoughts with my constituents...
It's the time of year when much of the focus in the Legislature turns to the state budget process. It's the one constitutional duty we have each year – to pass a balanced budget. As it does most years, things get a bit contentious before we come to an agreement the majority can live with. This year, the Senate threatened not to hear any House appropriations measures until they received full budget spreadsheets from the House. The House Appropriations and Budget chair countered that we need to f...
One of the things I'm blessed to do each week is offer the invocation before the Wednesday Legislative Session of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Last week, I chose to read the scripture Philippians 2:3 from the New King James Version of the Bible. "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." I selected this before my prayer because it serves as a good reminder of how we should conduct ourselves as represen...
The committee process has started anew as the House considers Senate bills before they advance to the House Floor. We had a bit of a slow week last week as we waited for the bills to be first- and second-read then assigned to committees, but many committee meetings will be held this week. I've got 10 Senate bills scheduled to be heard. Two of those deal with the overview of opioid use in our state. Senate Bill 1296 would modify requirements and procedures of the Opioid Overdose Fatality Review...
The committee process has started anew as the House considers Senate bills before they advance to the House Floor. We had a bit of a slow week last week as we waited for the bills to be first- and second-read then assigned to committees, but many committee meetings will be held this week. I've got 10 Senate bills scheduled to be heard. Two of those deal with the overview of opioid use in our state. Senate Bill 1296 would modify requirements and procedures of the Opioid Overdose Fatality Review...
My House Bill 3190 passed off the House Floor last week and moves to be heard in the Senate. This measure provides clarity to patients and doctors and would ease the process when prior authorization for health care procedures or services is required by insurance companies. My intended desire for this bill is for patients to get better and timelier care while freeing doctors from unnecessary paperwork so they can spend more time with their patients. This is a compilation effort. I worked with...
My House Bill 3194 passed off the House floor last week with a two-thirds majority vote. I have had numerous conversations with all those that had questions about this bill, addressing all concerns. This is a common-sense way to approach water conservation. We can all agree that water is crucial to our lives. It is one of our most valuable resources. Water is especially important in the northwestern part of the state where we don’t have the lakes like other parts of the state, and some of our u...
At the time of this writing, over one million acres have burned in Oklahoma and Texas. I'm thankful that much of our House district has been spared so far. There has been one small wildfire in our area in which it was reported that a home was lost and a rancher lost some animals. There are several other fires nearby, so prayers are certainly continuing. I received some information last week from the Farm Service Agency, which may be helpful to those affected. The FSA is offering a livestock...
I had lots of visitors stop by my office at the Capitol last week, several I got to introduce from the House floor. On Tuesday we hosted FFA Day, and I spoke with students from across the state. On Wednesday, I recognized groups from Ringwood, Mooreland, Woodward, Cherokee and Waynoka who are members of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). This group was formerly known as the Future Homemakers of America. They have expanded their mission to include family and consumer...
At the Capitol, we are still in the process of hearing bills in various committees. All bills are reviewed by the floor leadership team and then assigned to a committee. The committee must hear and pass the bill before it comes to the House Floor. House Bill 3191 passed the Public Safety Committee last week. This is a cleanup bill on the 14-year-old driver permit for young people who work or live on a farm. The original bill passed last year and took effect in November. After the bill passed, I...
The legislative session started last week with its usual business. The House and Senate convened Monday for a joint session to hear the governor's annual State of the State Address. He called on us to cut taxes, which the House is in favor of. He reinforced his desires to keep family values foundational; our communities safe; to continue to work to improve our education system and workforce readiness programs in our state universities, colleges and career techs; to make Oklahoma the most...
