I’m sending this column out on election day, but by the time most of you read this in print, the primary runoff elections will have been held and votes counted. Once we have finished picking our respective party nominees for this election cycle, it is full force into the November general election. I’m sure each party is hoping for unity behind their candidate of choice. Whether you vote for the same as I vote for or not, the important thing is that you vote.
Seems our good friends at the Corps of Engineers have gotten our attention again. This time it revolves around blocking access to Wister Lake property. I attended a meeting in Heavener last week to discuss this issue. It seems the Corps has contracted through the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife to manage this property. Many individuals in the surrounding communities have enjoyed this property for generations now to be told gates are locked and access is denied. I personally do not agree with the management of these public lands. Meetings are planned in the future to look into this matter at depth.
Things continue to be fairly slow at the Capitol, but there are a few meetings and a few interim studies scheduled for this week. The House Criminal Justice Committee will hear studies on strategies for re-entry for those returning home after incarceration, as well as about diversion program enhancements and mental health treatment facilities for juveniles in detention settings. The Out-of-School Time Task Force will meet, and our Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding Health and Human Services Working Group will meet to continue their discussion of recommendations for how money should best be allocated to help those still recovering from the effects of the pandemic.
As always, thank you for allowing me to serve you. It is a true pleasure. If there is ever anything I can do for 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 parts of LeFlore and Pittsburg counties.
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