State Representative Rick West (R-Heavener)
By Rep. Rick West
The interim between legislative sessions offers legislators a chance to be back home in the district full time, talking to constituents, hearing their concerns, answering their questions. I’ve been doing a lot of that lately.
Right now, things are fairly quiet at the Capitol. Lawmakers will be requesting interim studies later this month. The list of approved studies won’t be released until later in July, and the studies won’t happen until late summer and during the fall. I’m considering one at the request of a few local boys. If they decide it’s needed, I’ll share more details in an upcoming column.
At the same time, many people are preparing to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary July 4. Many events are planned here locally and across the state as well as nationally. These include local Fourth of July parades, block parties in cities nationwide, national field trips and more. While I hope everyone takes part in the celebrations, I also I hope everyone will pause for a moment and truly consider what a hard fight it was to form this nation and what a gift it is to live here. Our founders had to not only agree to break free from dependence on the British crown and the war that brought, but to try to unify very diverse colonies that each had a different vision for how they should be governed. I thank God often that I was born in the land of the free and the home of the brave. I look forward to celebrating this country that I love.
On a more local note, I’ve got a meeting set up on June 18 with the head of the Oklahoma Tax Commission to address some concerns I’ve received from constituents. People tell me they’ve been calling the commission and can’t get through, or they haven’t received answers about their tax returns. I’m putting together a list of topics to address with the commissioner. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Also locally, several fundraisers have been held for the Wister Police chief. More are upcoming. As many know, Chief Andy Thompson is still recovering from an ambush shooting that happened in April. Money raised will go toward his medical and living expenses. LeFlore County Sheriff’s Deputy Walker LeMay was killed in that ambush, and I know support is also going toward his family.
Remember to listen to my Capitol update on the radio at 7:35 a.m. every Thursday on KPRV.
As always, if I can help you with anything, please call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.
Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.
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