Recognizing R. Carroll Huggins

By Rep. Rick West

I got to do one of my favorite things this week – recognize one of our local hometown heroes with a citation on the House floor.

R. Carroll Huggins has been a regent of Carl Albert State College for nearly three decades after serving as an educator for four years and a Stigler Board of Education member for 15 years.

He’s done so much for Carl Albert State College and for rural Oklahoma, particularly here in LeFlore County.

He’s also has served as the executive director and the CEO of KI BOIS Community Action Foundation Inc. since November 1978. Under his direction, KI BOIS  has grown into one of the most significant community service organizations in Oklahoma, supporting numerous initiatives focused on alleviating poverty, expanding community services and addressing behavioral health needs across southeastern Oklahoma.

Huggins is also a veteran, serving with distinction for 32 years in the United States Army.

He came to the Capitol with his wife, Lana, of almost 59 years. This is just an outstanding couple who have dedicated their lives to serving others. They have three sons and are active members of Main Street Baptist Church in Stigler, where Mr. Huggins serves as a deacon. Their personal lives reflect a long-standing commitment to family, faith, service and improving their community. You just cannot find better people.

Also attending with the Huggins was Carl Albert State College President Dr. Jay Falkner. It was great to have him.

On the legislative front, the governor has vetoed quite a few bills this year. A few I disagree with.

House Bill 1030 would have extended the sunset for the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. House Bill 1029 would have extended the sunset for the Oklahoma Funeral Board.

The governor thinks these boards should not be stand-alone but be put under another layer of government. I disagree. They receive legislative oversight and have to present budget requests and annual reports to the Legislature like other boards, commissions or agencies. I don’t think we need to add layers of bureaucracy.

The governor also vetoed House Bill 1389 that would have required health benefit plans to cover contrast-enhanced mammograms and molecular breast imaging to the list of what a diagnostic examination for breast cancer may include. One in eight women in America will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and this screening could catch it early.

The governor said this would raise the cost of insurance. But the Oklahoma Health Care Authority does not anticipate the measure impacting Medicaid costs or the state HealthChoice plan, thus having no direct impact on the state budget.

Both the House and Senate approved the general appropriations bill this week. House Bill 2766 contains funding amounts for various state agencies. A host of other bills contain specific language on spending limits for various programs. I voted no on the main budget bill as I believe it contains too much unjustified spending.

Remember to listen to my Capitol update on the radio at 7:35 a.m. every Thursday on KPRV 92.5 FM.

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.