U.S. Sen. James Lankford stopped by the State Capitol this past week sharing some items of interest for all Oklahoman’s. Sen. Lankford talked about the president’s attempts to reduce the federal workforce by 10%. He stated 75,000 have taken the opt out with pay along with 100,000 probationary employees whose contract employment has ended and will not be renewed. Sen. Lankford also stated that with the federal deficit being what it is and some states having surpluses, the feds will be shifting some of the Medicaid/Medicare burden to the states. This is exactly what everyone was saying would happen should we accept this Medicaid/Medicare expansion, but the voters chose this route. Sen. Lankford did state this would not happen immediately, and we would have time to roll it in.
On the budgetary side, the Board of Equalization released their projections for revenue last week. As we anticipated, we will have approximately $1 billion less to appropriate than Fiscal Year 2025. This is a large amount, but I’m confident we will be able to appropriate accordingly and keep our state agencies funded.
I have had four of my bills heard and passed out of subcommittees this week. Now the lobbying begins to get these bills heard in oversight committees. This is a new second level for policy bills this session. I have two more I’m hoping to get heard in subcommittees this week. Once a bill makes it through the oversight committee, then it is eligible to be heard on the floor, pending the floor leader’s approval.
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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