State budget agreement reached

I’ve got some good news: we have a state budget.You may have heard that last week, the governor, along with House and Senate leadership, announced an agreement on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. While it still needs final approval, this gives us a strong look at where we are headed.

Tecumseh Golden Age Center

Hope all are enjoying the spring weather! I hope it includes trips and family time.I enjoyed time with my family in Tulsa on Easter Sunday weekend. Nancy Freeman reported that her trip to the Grand Canyon was awesome! She rode the train up and back that goes to the top from Williams, AZ.

Standing Firm in Faith and Service

There are moments in life when you are reminded that your calling is bigger than yourself. This past week at the Capitol was one of those moments for me.I was honored to be recognized as a 2026 recipient of the Defender of Biblical Business Award, presented by the Christian Employers Alliance.

A dog named Teddy

My neighborhood has been active with dumped dogs again. Most abandoned dogs do not survive this heartless action. I’d like to relate to you the story of our rescue dog, Teddy, who found us (not the other way around) during the Covid lockdown and ice storm of November 2020.

Hard Work on Display Across Oklahoma

Last week offered a meaningful reminder of both the traditions that shape Oklahoma and the responsibilities we carry at the Capitol.One of the highlights was the Oklahoma Youth Expo, better known as OYE.

Who AM I?

Disqualified from WWII service because of a back injury suffered while bull riding in Texas.Worked as a shipbuilder in Mobile and Portland for a short time.Met first wife at a medicine show in Banks, Alabama.Married by a Justice of the Peace in 1944 at a Texaco gas station in Andalusia, Alabama.

Inspirational women in music

March is Women’s History Month. We’ve been flooded with women’s inspirational nominations from around the county to feature in a couple of issues and to highlight them. It’s been great to learn about our locals and the impact they continue to have on their communities.

Transparency is key to building, preserving trust in government

Oklahoma means business when it comes to transparency in government. We must uphold strong and transparent government practices to allow Oklahomans to clearly see the work of their public servants and to have the power to hold them accountable.

CAPITOL NOTES

The pace at the Capitol has picked up as we spend long days working through legislation on the House floor. The House passed nearly 200 House Bills and House Joint Resolutions this past week.

Earworms

Shall we talk about earworms? (An earworm can be a song that continually circulates in your brain, making people smile when you unwittingly sing the lyrics off-key in the copy room at work.) If you’re old enough, do you remember “The Flintstones” or “The Jetsons” or “The Munsters” theme songs?