We made it through the deadline for hearing Senate Bills, and the Senate heard the last of our House bills. Now is the time to accept Senate amendments or reject them and send those bills to conference committee. With all this being said, my House Bill 3749 failed to be heard on the Senate floor last week. This was my funding mechanism to rebuild the rodeo grounds at the prison so we could restart the ever famous “prison rodeo.” Now it’s back to the drawing board to secure funding somewhere else. One thing I won’t do is to give up on this important issue.
Tourism and state parks are once again occupying much of my attention this week. My phone started ringing when the original Fall Festival Committee announced Monday that this years “Fall Festival” at Robber’s Cave State Park would be cancelled. My initial reaction is “this cannot be happening.” I’ve been in numerous conversations with the director of our state parks along with the mayor of Wilburton. They will be meeting to begin the process of restoring this 38-year tradition, but rest assured we will have a “Fall Festival” this October.
Shelley Zumwalt, who currently serves as the director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, which includes state parks, has made a buzz recently as the Governor will not seek to have her confirmed as his Cabinet secretary of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage. Zumwalt will, however, remain as the head of the Tourism Department. I give her much credit for the many improvements we have enjoyed in our local state park, not to mention the Swadley’s debacle she inherited.
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.