Over the past month since session adjourned, we have been extremely busy. Before I provide an update, I want to sincerely thank everyone for the condolences and prayers during the passing of my mom. Some may notice that the record shows I missed a day’s worth of votes during session. Being by my mom’s side and with my family during those final hours was my priority. Thank you all for your understanding, support and kindness during that difficult time.
I would like to provide updates on several projects throughout House District 15.
First, the State Highway 71 bridge repair north of the dam remains under construction and will continue a little longer. Unfortunately, each rainfall causes delays and pushes the timeline back. This project turned out to be much larger than originally anticipated, but progress is being made. We hope to see significant results soon.
Another exciting development for our district is the Eufaula hospital project. We worked hard throughout the process and were able to secure $2 million for this important investment in our community’s healthcare infrastructure. Originally, funding had been allocated for the project but was later required to be returned. We continued to fight for those dollars and were successful in bringing $2 million back to support the project.
We are excited to welcome St. Francis to Eufaula and believe this investment will not only improve access to healthcare but also serve as a catalyst for economic growth throughout the Lake Eufaula area. Quality healthcare is critical to the future of our communities, and this project represents a major step forward for Eufaula and the surrounding region.
We also have been working closely with several of our county commissioners to identify additional funding opportunities for road and infrastructure projects. While the Legislature has appropriated additional dollars for county roads and bridges, we understand that our commissioners continue to operate with limited resources. We will keep working to find ways to assist them.
I also want to address a recent comment made by one of the candidates for governor. The statement that Oklahoma has 541 “liberal woke school districts” frankly makes me angry. The public school educators in House District 15 work hard every day to teach and care for our children and provide a safe and healthy learning environment. I am a proud product of public education, and I encourage anyone making broad accusations about our schools to spend time visiting our classrooms, meeting our teachers and talking with our administrators before making such statements.
I also would like to wish Connors State College President Dr. Ron Ramming the very best in his retirement. Dr. Ramming has transformed Connors State College into one of the premier institutions of higher education in eastern Oklahoma. His leadership and dedication have left a lasting impact on countless students and communities throughout our region.
Like I said, my family and I have been extremely busy throughout the district. From livestock auctions and community events to Cruise Night celebrations and town festivals, we have stayed actively engaged with the people we serve. I truly believe being involved matters, and we will continue to make that a priority.
As we enter the holiday season and prepare to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary, let us remember the freedoms we enjoy today did not come without sacrifice. Men and women throughout our nation’s history have fought, bled and died to preserve those freedoms. We are blessed to live in the greatest nation in the world, and we should never take those liberties for granted.
As always, if you have questions, concerns, or need assistance from our office, please do not hesitate to reach out. It is an honor and privilege to serve as your state representative. My office phone is (405) 557-7375, and my email is tim.turner@okhouse.gov.
God Bless.
Rep. Tim Turner, a Republican, represents House District 15 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Haskell County and portions of McIntosh, Muskogee, Le Flore and Pittsburg counties.
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