Recently, the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding approved nine projects to head to the full Legislature for consideration. These projects include funding for mental health, healthcare, water projects, information technology modernization, and infrastructure to help keep our public services running smoothly. I’ll keep you all updated on projects as they are approved in the coming weeks. I want to thank everyone on the committee for their hard work this interim. This was a huge undertaking and it’s great to see so many vital projects head to the next step in the process as we continue our work to get these funds distributed.
In other Senate news, interim studies are fast approaching. These studies are an incredibly important part of the legislative process and give us an opportunity to dive deeper into complex issues that we may not have time to during session. Over the course of the interim, I’ll be participating in 13 studies in my various committees. To learn more, visit our website at https://oksenate.gov/publications/senate-interim-studies. There you will also be able to view the live proceedings of these studies.
While Labor Day may mark the unofficial end of summer, there are still many weeks of warm, sunny weather and opportunities for vacationing — if you’ve never fully explored it before, I would like to recommend you start with the natural beauty and other historic and interesting attractions right here in Senate District 5. In Pushmataha County, we have The Kiamichi Wilderness and River. LeFlore County includes the charming Lake Wister State Park, the beautiful Ouachita Mountains, and the Ouachita National Forest. McCurtain County features Beavers Bend State Park and historic Hochatown. These amazing areas are some of Oklahoma’s most beautiful destinations.
We also have historical spots, like Hugo, in Choctaw County, which has long been billed as Circus City, U.S.A., for the many circuses that once wintered there. That tradition continues with the Kelly-Miller Circus and the Carson & Barnes Circus, which date back to the 1930s and are still performing. Hugo is also home to the Endangered Ark Foundation, a circus elephant sanctuary that houses the nation’s second largest elephant herd. You also won’t want to miss the lovely Hugo Lake Park, which I’ve been working diligently to restore to its state park status.
Don’t miss Heavener Runestone Park, where Vikings left behind a boundary marker carved in stone between 600 and 800 AD. Another historic site sits in LeFlore County, the Spiro Mounds. The 12 remaining mounds give a small glimpse into the history of the Caddoan-speaking Indians. If you like exploring military sites, you won’t want to miss visiting Fort Towson. Named for General Nathan Towson, Fort Towson was established in May 1824 as a frontier outpost. Before you head home, take in the breathtaking view of the only remaining free-flowing river left in Oklahoma, the pristine Glover River in McCurtain County. This 33-mile trek begins in the southwest corner of the Kiamichi Mountains and flows into the Little River, and is an excellent destination for fishing enthusiasts, canoeing, rafting, and kayaking. There is so much more to see and do in the district, and I encourage you to explore it all; I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you at our state Capitol. If you have any questions about legislation, or need assistance with an issue, please contact me by email at George.Burns@oksenate.gov or by phone at 405-521-5614.
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