With the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, Oklahoma is now the most pro-life state in the nation. The Legislature over the past several years has passed a number of trigger laws that now make abortions illegal in our state. These include House Bill 4327, which prohibits a person from performing or attempting to perform an abortion from the moment of fertilization. Exceptions will be to save the life of the mother or in the case of rape or incest.
The court’s ruling sends the matter of allowing or outlawing abortion back to the states to decide. Oklahoma lawmakers have already said loud and clearly how we feel on this matter. We consider a baby a living being from the moment of conception, and that life deserves to be protected.
It’s important to remember the right to an abortion was never in the U.S. Constitution, It was a matter of statute only. So, when you hear people claiming the ruling is unconstitutional, this is false.
Meanwhile, I have been busy traveling around our House district giving legislative updates on our past session. I’m visiting our local AARP and McAlester Rotary Clubs. It’s always fun sharing what transpired this past session, but also about where we are as far as still being in special session addressing the disbursement of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. We passed a number of bills already in special session to spend a portion of our state’s $1.8 billion to increase training for nurses, for rural water projects and to expand broadband internet to rural areas, among others. We’ll continue to study other uses for these funds and come back into session to appropriate more money when we have the next slate of bills.
Finally, I wish to wish a longtime friend and associate a happy retirement. Donna Hanebrink has been holding both Wilburton and Talihina Conservation Districts together for the past 36 years in her role as district manager. I first came to work with Donna some 27 years ago when I accepted an appointment to the Latimer County Conservation Board as a district director. I always admired her knowledge and professionalism. She will be missed,
As always, thank You for allowing me to serve you. It is a true pleasure. If there is ever anything I can do for 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 parts of LeFlore and Pittsburg counties.
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