“If it rains the first day of August, it will rain fifteen days in August.” This is an old wives’ tale that seems to have some meaning this year. As we wind up summer and head into fall, our legislative work also seems to start picking up the pace. House and Senate interim studies are being scheduled. I plan to attend several of each on a varied range of issues. My feral pig study is scheduled at 10 a.m. Sept. 9. I have a few local citizens that will be sharing their expertise on this matter. It will be live streamed on the House website, https://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00283/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/20250909/-1.
A local problem I have been made aware of is that OSU Extension has devised a plan to move all local extension service funds under their control and issue payments from a state office. This is a government entity once again wanting to take away local control. I will look into this matter. A group of legislators will be meeting with extension officials later this week to discuss. In my opinion, our local extension service is one of the best, and I wouldn’t want anything to take away from this.
Last weekend, I made a visit to the Oklahoma Public Employees Association’s state convention at Sequoyah State Park at Hulbert. This is a beautiful state asset. I am hosting an interim study in October to look at pay for our public employees. They have not received an across-the-board pay raise in six years. I believe we all feel the pinch of our inflationary times.
One thing that stuck out in this visit to this state park is that the Lookout Kitchen at the park was closed. I understand they had a fire in January in the kitchen, but this is August. I wonder if something else is going on as to why this restaurant in this beautiful park is closed.
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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