The deadline week for bills to make it out of committee is over. The next two weeks will be fast and furious. We have over 230 House bills to consider on the Senate floor, and I am sure there will be several that will be up for heated debate. I have five House bills to present on the Senate Floor and 3 Senate bills that are moving through the House.
As with any session, our obligation is to deliver a balanced budget to the Governor for his signature. This process takes months of preparation and debate. At this point, we are waiting for the Senate and House Leadership teams to bring forth the budget. The Senate has proposed a budget, and because of the determination of a transparent budget process, we are waiting for the House to send their numbers so that the process can be completed and move forward. I hope this happens soon.
On Monday, former Sooner and NY Giant Sterling Shephard, other OU and OSU athletes, Miss Oklahoma, cardiac arrest survivors, and Buffalo Bills athletic trainer Denny Kellington joined the American Heart Association at the Capitol to rally for cardiac safety in our schools and to learn hands-only CPR. This event was an uplifting experience with lots of excitement. I also had lunch with the Legislative Diabetes Causes. They had booths set up to share lifesaving information for diabetes.
On Tuesday, we had a joint session with the House of Representatives to honor our National Guard. Also, the American Farmers and Ranchers Day at the Capitol provided lunch and shared critical information concerning the agriculture community.
On Wednesday, I had the privilege to address Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program (OALP) participants. This leadership program is a great way to promote Agricultural Leadership, and I enjoyed sharing my farming and ranching experiences and my legislative experiences. While talking with them, I was able to share my Australian and New Zealand experiences when I was going through OALP.
In closing, as we begin the next phase of the legislative session, please take time to take notice of what is going on at the Capitol. I am your senator, and I do my best to represent you every day. If I can be of service to you or your family, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach my office at 405-521-5630 or Roland.Pederson@oksenate.gov.
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