Senate Review

We officially concluded the 2022 legislative session at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 27. Of the many accomplishments this year, I’m very proud of the historic budget we approved, especially in how it will support our rural communities.

CAPITOL NOTES

As we prepared to wrap up our regular session this week, the Governor signed two bills I authored. Senate Bill 615 requires restrooms or changing rooms in Oklahoma public schools to be designated exclusively based on biological sex.

Senate Notes

As of this writing, we were still tying up legislative business ahead of the completion of the 2022 regular session. Under Oklahoma’s Constitution, we must reach final adjournment by 5 p.m. on the last Friday in May.

An Unexpected Layover In The Wilderness

We were in Colorado heading toward Utah to help Mr. Right’s family move. They’d bought a home in a small canyon community surrounded by luscious green mountains. Normally, the trip takes three days driving and two nights camping with no cell signal most of the way.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Shawnee officials recently announced their intent to repurpose the Santa Fe Depot and did so without even consulting the Pottawatomie County Historical Society (PCHS) board who holds a long-standing lease for the building. And they immediately followed up with plans to cancel that lease.

CAPITOL COMMENTS

Memorial Day is usually a time spent with family and friends, having a barbeque, or celebrating the start of summer. However, it is critically important to remind our children, and remember the true meaning of this holiday.

Senate Review

It was an absolute privilege to host my mom, wife and daughter at the Capitol this past week. It was very special to have them with me, and my daughter even assisted me in presiding over the Senate during one of our chamber sessions.

Remember Our Veterans, Enjoy Alumni Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is approaching so the cemeteries are decorated and the center will be closed Monday, May 30 . Thanks to Joyce Webb and Gretchen Conger for making beautiful Memorial Day crosses to sell and thanks to those who bought them.

CAPITOL COMMENTS

Once again, Democrats are gaslighting the hardworking individuals in the energy industry instead of taking ownership of the disastrous results of their own policies. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.

SENATE REPORT

The 2022 legislative session is winding down. This past week, we approved the largest and most comprehensive budget in state history. The $9.7 billion FY’23 budget addresses a long list of state needs while boosting savings to a record $2.