The Legislature held Organizational Day on Jan. 7. This day is required by the state Constitution to be held in odd-numbered years after new legislators are elected.
It gives us a chance to formally elect the House speaker and the pro tem and to adopt rules by which we will be governed during our legislative session, which begins Feb. 3. We also formally certified the results of the Nov. 5 general election.
The House majority caucus already approved Kyle Hilbert, a Republican from Bristow, to be speaker and Anthony Moore, a Republican from Clinton to be pro tem, but the full body got to vote on this on Tuesday, making it official.
In the meantime, members have been filing bills for the upcoming session. Looks like it’s going to be an interesting one. Before session starts, we’ll also be having our annual budget hearings and performance reviews for agencies that receive state funds. These should start soon.
On a separate note, I want to offer condolences to the family of Jaden Jackson, an Oklahoma Department of Transportation employee who lost his life recently in a work zone near Talihina. Jackson was only 26 years old. He worked for ODOT District 2 in Southeast Oklahoma for 10 months as a heavy equipment operator. My condolences also go out to the other person that died in this accident, James R. Alford.
This points to our need to be very aware of roadway work zones. Please slow down and pay full attention any time you see orange cones or barrels signifying construction on a roadway. I hate that anyone should lose their life in this way.
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.