Special Session

Thursday, 26 May 2022 17:30

Special Session Featured

Written by Rep. Rick West
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The Legislature adjourned its regular session on Friday as we are constitutionally required to do. But, in the meantime, we called ourselves into special session.

I voted for special session because I wanted the Legislature to have a say over how the state's $1.8 billion portion of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are spent. This is a lot of money just sitting idle. It's already been about nine months or so, and this money is worth less every day because of inflation.

We formed a Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief funding to gather public input on how these funds could best be put to use. We received about 1,400 submissions. Now, it's time to act.

We've already made some recommendations – expanding broadband internet services into rural areas, increasing the number of spots available in state nursing programs to get these needed health care workers into our communities, and more. With no action on these initiatives from the executive, we wanted to make sure the work of the committee was not in vain.

The Legislature has a duty to make sure the people in our districts are represented, and this was the only way I felt we could  do this. 

It was 1994 the last time the Legislature convened itself into special session, so this shows the importance of the matter.

On another note, I know this column will run after Memorial Day, but I wanted to make sure to remember the men and woman who served in our nation's armed forces who fought and died for our security and our liberty. I am sure everybody knows somebody who gave all in sacrifice to our nation. I for one am deeply grateful.

When I was a kid, Memorial Day was a very somber occasion. I still remember momma and daddy being very gloomy around the house. It was a time to remember those who died in combat and to go put flowers on your kinfolks' graves. I grew up in the 1960s, and World War II and Korea were still fresh on our minds, and we all knew someone who went off to Vietnam and didn't come home. Being from a small town, we knew these guys personally. They were our heroes – still are. So, I hope you, along with me, took a moment to remember these veterans and said a prayer of thanksgiving for all those who died to give us our freedom. 

Remember to listen to me on KPRV Radio at 7:30 a.m. every Thursday for my legislative update.

As always, if I can help you with anything, feel free to 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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