Things are kind of quiet on the legislative scene as we head into late summer and fall. Interim studies should soon be approved and will begin in August or September. I have signed on as co-author to a study looking at the dangers of vaping and Kratom products. This is a constitute request by a member whose son’s life was upended by using these products that are readily available at many convenience stores. I’ll share more details when the study gets scheduled.
I received word yesterday that Gov. Stitt appointed James Green as District Attorney for Pittsburg and Haskell counties. Green has eight years of experience as a prosecutor and served 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. The governor says this has prepared him to uphold the rule of law in our communities and to deliver justice to this district and the people of Oklahoma.
The governor also announced this week that the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA), alongside the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) has released a statewide strategy to grow Oklahoma’s role in the fast-expanding space industry. This would position the state to compete for jobs, investment, and federal contracts as the global space economy nearly triples over the next decade. While plans for now primarily include Oklahoma City and Tulsa and the Spaceport in western Oklahoma, I have reason to hope that an area of military defense like McAlester might catch the attention of this industry. We will see.
Last week I had the opportunity to attend a check presentation to Latimer County Rural Water District 1 from the Oklahoma Water Resource Board. This money will be used for infrastructure upgrades including electronic meters that don’t have to be physically read. These upgrades will allow more accurate tracking of water usage. I also had the chance to see their new office building, and I commend the board on undertaking of purchasing their own building. I couldn’t help but reminisce about my own story of how rural water changed the lives of me and my family members when it became available to us 60-plus years ago. Unfortunately, there still are many parts of Latimer County and other areas in Oklahoma still not served by rural water. These are areas we will continue to address.
As always, thank you for allowing me to serve. If I can help you in any way, 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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