Friends,

I can’t believe three weeks of session have passed. Time has gone very quickly since session began on February 5.  I have been back and forth and back and forth between the District and the Capitol a lot in these first few weeks and though sometimes I am wondering what day it is, I am still excited and ready to do the work of representing our district. 

Topics of Interest this Session

Artificial Intelligence and social media regulation have generated a lot of bills this year.  As we try to keep up with technology – there are several bills seeking to regulate new and existing uses and protect the public. You can read about what some of the AI bills will do here.   

There are also a suite of bills on housing and homelessness. This bill prohibits encampments in underpasses and on state property.  In addition to warning on first offense, the bill requires the arresting officer to offer assistance such as transportation to a shelter, food supports, and/or other community resources that offer homeless and indigent services. Importantly, this assistance must be refused before a citation can be issued. I supported the bill in committee knowing that traffic safety, particularly at 51st and Harvard, is a concern for many constituents.  I welcome your thoughts on this difficult issue.  I look forward to evaluating and supporting several other bills in this area including those increasing the time to notice evictions and incentives for affordable housing bills.  

Everyone has likely seen the news about the grocery tax and I am sure there will be much more information in the coming weeks but for now remember that we still have a local tax on groceries and will be taxed on prepared foods. 

As legislators, we only have one constitutionally required job and that is to leave the Capitol before the end of May with a balanced budget for the following fiscal year.  The figure we can appropriate for the budget is set by the Board of Equalization in a complicated process.  This year we can build a budget allocating $13,956,772,329.00. With the grocery tax cut about inked, we will have already spent $410 million over and above our recurring expenses.  Interestingly, Attorney General Gentner Drummond voted against certifying this number expressing concerns about inaccuracy and politics in the figure.  You can read the details here and also see the official report from the Board of Equalization.  

HD70 Bills

Beyond the task of writing a budget, I look at the legislative session as a series of gates bills must pass through to get to the Governor’s desk.  As of this writing here,  these are the HD70 bills that have made past the first set of gates:  

HB 1808 – continues the practice of allowing licensed childcare providers to offer childcare at no cost to their employees  

HB 4147 – offers a tax credit to employers who share in the cost of childcare with their employees and offers an annual tax credit incentive to child care workers

HB 4148 – requires demonstration of compliance of Oklahoma Medical Price Transparency Act before being able to obtain a default judgment

HB 4150 – protects retirement plan income from creditors

HB 4151- prohibits unnecessary fees in the buying and selling of homes 

HB 4153 – renews the ENDDUI committee and works to increase the usage of interlock devices for first time DUI offenders

HB 4152 – updates language on mammography reports regarding dense breast tissue

I am very proud of this slate of bills – it is constituent and “real problem” driven.  I know we won’t see all of them passed this year but it won’t be for lack of trying!  And honestly, as I learned last year, sometimes the legislative filters or “gates” truly improve bills or demonstrate why they aren’t necessary.  

Closing

Finally, on a sad note, Oklahoma has been in the national news for the tragic death of an Owasso student in addition to recent hurtful and hateful comments made by elected officials. It pains me greatly to see public servants denigrate Oklahomans.  Our duty as humans is to respect one another and as public servants we should be elevating and encouraging Oklahomans with our words.  As a mother and an Oklahoman, I am so very saddened by the death of any young person – it’s a future lost and that in and of itself, for all involved is heart-breaking.  I know so many are working hard to share facts and I am hopeful we will learn more in the coming weeks and come to understand what we can do to prevent something like this from happening again.  

Save the date for our next townhall on March 13 at the Schusterman-Benson Library from 5:30-6:30 PM. You can register here. 

Whether it’s home delivery of alcohol, the initiative petition process or chicken poop regulations. House District 70 watches the issues and shares their perspectives, I love that!  I am so glad to have the input and I hope you will continue to reach out.  I do my best to get back to everyone and if I don’t, please don’t give up, keep trying and we will connect.  Enjoy the beautiful weather and if you are at the Capitol please stop by Room 541.  I am always happy to see a Tulsan!  

Let’s keep going – 

Suzanne