My heart goes out to the shooting victims in Minnesota this past weekend. At this point, I really don’t know a lot about the motive or what the shooter was hoping to gain. I do know two of the victims were locally elected state officials. There have always been political disputes and probably always will be, but this is not how to settle them. Please keep the families in your prayers.
The First Session of the 60th Legislature is finally finished with the time for final action on remaining bills having passed.
Five bills were pocket vetoed by the governor. These included a bill that would have helped the Department of Mental health administer the consent decree signed earlier this year. This would help us settle a federal lawsuit that alleges the department did not provide court-ordered competency restoration services in a timely manner to defendants declared incompetent to stand trial. Not sure how this gets resolved at this point.
The governor did sign a few pieces of legislation before his final deadline. One of the most impactful for rural areas was House Bill 2758, which delivers up to $75 million in new resources for county roads and bridges. It’s one of the largest single-year investments in county transportation infrastructure in state history. This will really benefit rural residents and businesses.
Now, we start planning for interim studies. I am considering three, and will submit my requests by the deadline, June 27. Then, the legwork will begin putting what I hope to accomplish on paper.
Congratulations to Pittsburg County commissioners who petitioned the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for some assistance in improving lake access at Juniper Point. This was approved – another example of state and local officials working together.
I attended the cable cutting for Canadian Valley Telephone Services in Crowder last week. This celebrates broadband expansion in this area. What I enjoyed the most was listening to the company and family history of the Smith family and how the company has been around over 100 years and continues to grow. It’s a true American success story. I wish them another 100 years.
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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