State Rep. Jim Grego
By Rep. Jim Grego
Back to the drawing board is basically the response from Pittsburg County commissioners as they voted not to accept the tax abatement board’s proposal for the IREN Data Center project. My opinion is they felt 85% tax abatement was too much. Not sure what happens next as this is a rare occurrence. Will they try a different percentage, or will the company move on down the road? I don’t know, I do know there doesn’t seem to be communities lined up welcoming these type projects, so we will see.
My friend Sterling Zearley has once again been tapped as interim executive director for the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services. Sterling is a true government servant and, as always, lends his expertise wherever it is needed. I’m confident he will be successful in this new role. My opinion is we need more Sterling’s.
I worked with Sterling a lot in his roles with tourism, and he left it in a better place than he found it.
I recently met with the Pittsburg County Chapter of AARP to give a yearly recap of the past legislative session. This is a good group, and I always enjoy meeting with them.
This weekend is the Fourth of July, and many will be celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary. McAlester will hold its annual Stars & Stripes Fireworks Celebration on the Fourth. Hartshorne has fireworks planned on July 3. Red Oak has celebrations planned July 3 and 4. Wilburton’s Fireworks show and other festivities were held last weekend. The Choctaw Nation has several different events planned. I know there are plenty of other celebrations happening statewide and throughout the nation, including The Great American State Fair that is running through July 10 in the nation’s Capital.
No matter where you are, I hope you’ll take a moment to be grateful for this great nation we live in and for all those who have served in our armed forces to keep us free and safe. Psalm 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” We’ve been blessed in America, and I pray we always stay that way.
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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