Since we live three hours from Oklahoma City, I do not get many visitors from home, so it is a special treat for me when people do find their way to the Capitol. Recently, students from various communities in our area came to the Capitol. These sharp young people were members of the Grand Savings Bank Junior Board. I was also honored to have a visit from the Leadership Grove class. It was fun to tour the Capitol with both of these groups and relate some our state’s wonderful history.
Rep. Ben Loring from Miami and I were happy to have Robyn Turner, R.N. serve as the “Nurse of the Day” at the Capitol. Robyn lives in my district and works as the school nurse for the entire Miami School District up in Rep. Loring’s district.
County Commissioner Ryan Ball from Salina was at the Capitol in support of continued funding of our County Road Improvement and Bridge Fund.
From a legislative standpoint, we are in the deadline week to hear all of the Senate bills they sent over to the House. After that, the remainder of the session will be spent working out the differences between the Senate and House versions of the bills. Sometimes, agreeable language can be reached, and at other times, the issue will die because no compromise can be obtained. Contrary to what you see on TV about what happens in Washington, D.C., your legislators in OKC do a pretty good of working together for the betterment of our state, regardless of party affiliation. I feel that is something we can all be proud of.
As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I can report that what I consider our most important job – crafting a budget for Oklahoma – is moving forward. We House appropriations chairmen are meeting twice weekly early in the mornings, and the Senate, House and Governor’s budget chairs are meeting on a regular basis to finalize this important task. By law, our work has to be completed by 5:00 p.m. on the last Friday in May. If we can finish earlier, it will save some taxpayer dollars spent on the legislative process.
As always, I like to say “thanks” for allowing me to serve as your state Representative. I can be reached at dougcox@okhouse.gov or 405-557-7415.
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