We did Sine Die our regular legislative session last Friday, as is mandated by law, but we’re still in special session in case it’s needed to conclude any business on our state budget or to override any potential vetoes by the governor.
This seemed like a longer session than most. With the largest budget in state history, along with unprecedented funding for education, for some unknown reason we were not able to get any substantial tax cuts for everyday Oklahomans. Our governor does retain the right to bring us into special session to address this, but I’m not sure the appetite is there for substantial relief. The House stands ready to grant this. We passed a number of tax relief measures this session as well as in last year’s special sessions that would lower the income tax rate and eliminate the state portion of the grocery tax, but the Senate has yet to take these up.
We did get a few tax relief measures passed. We eliminated the franchise tax that business owners pay, and we fixed the marriage penalty tax for income tax filers.
We also accomplished some good policy wins this session, including my bill that will update our state’s 911 system and a bill that will allow 14-year-olds who live or work on a farm to apply for a farm driving permit to get them to and from home and work and school. This will ease the burden for some of our farm families.
We passed a law that will allow law enforcement to request an evaluation from the Oklahoma Dept. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Service when they are called to make an arrest on someone they think may have mental health problems. We’re hoping this will stop us from filling our jails with people who just need mental health assistance.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol also is getting millions to build new facilities and upgrade technology, including $20 million to create a new wireless radio system.
Several new laws will help us better stop illegal marijuana grows in our state.
This past Monday was a special day as I attended Wilburton’s VFW Memorial Day service. It was my privilege to be able to visit with a local Gold Star Mom as well as a Blue Star Mom who were present. The one thing I didn’t expect was finding out an individual I have known for many years is a Purple Heart recipient who still had a piece of shrapnel embedded in his body from when he was wounded in Vietnam some 50-plus years ago. I have always maintained “there are heroes all around us.”
As always, thank You for allowing me to serve you. I can be reached at (405) 557-7381 or by email at jim.grego@okhouse.gov.
Jim Grego serves District 17 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Latimer County and part and Pittsburg County.
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