State Rep. Jim Grego
By Rep. Jim Grego
Week Seven in the Legislature was short and sweet due to Spring Break. We only gaveled in Monday and Tuesday. Next week will be the crunch time, as next Thursday is the final date for bills to advance out of the House chamber. I’m expecting we may get a couple of long evenings. The following week, all bills will cross the rotunda for consideration by the other body.
One point of distinction this session is the advancement of our budget. The House and Senate are closing in on an agreement to send to the executive branch. This may not seem like a big deal, but it is the earliest date by far to get to this stage of the process since I have been in this building. Hopefully, the Governor will get on board with this agreement, and we should be able to finalize our business early this year. We will see.
Last week, I was invited to speak to our retired educators in McAlester. One point of contention has been the Senate’s plan to divert new money going into the Teachers’ Retirement System, I can attest this plan is done and going nowhere. Hopefully, in this year’s budget we will be able to help both our active teachers and state employees as well as retirees of both. We will see.
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Youth Expo is stronger than ever and going wide open at the State Fairgrounds. Monday night was the legislative showmanship contest. It’s reported that 148 legislators/dignitaries competed. I was one of the 148. I showed a heifer owned by an FFA student from Quinton. it was fun for me, but I didn’t have to do any of the work. This young exhibitor and her calf did all the heavy lifting, and I appreciate them. Unfortunately, when the hammer came down, I wasn’t the exhibitor chosen as the champion, but there is aways next year.
As always, I’m thankful to the constituents of House District 17 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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