February 5, 2025

Friends,

Monday we returned to the Capitol to kick off our 4 month legislative session. A total of 1,928 House Bills and 1,125 Senate Bills were filed for this session – so we have our work cut out for us but I am very ready!  In these times when things are so unpredictable and rapidly changing, it feels good to focus on things we have at least some control over.

Bills and Budget 
The first week of session has brought a lot of bill activity and all our work is moving forward.  I am excited about my slate of bills this year, many of the ideas came directly from HD 70 constituents.  I continue to press on the goal of making childcare more accessible and affordable with House Bills 1847, 1848, 1849.  In a press conference Monday, I was asked about my continued efforts to strengthen workforce infrastructure by expanding access to affordable childcare.  Below is the clip — also look out for my column with more detail in Sunday’s Tulsa World.

I am also working on a bill with major updates to our trust law (HB 1850) – which will generally make our trust law more consistent with the majority of other states and provide Oklahomans with clarity and certainty to complicated trust law.   HB 1851 is a continuation of consumer protection work that imposes notice requirements for auto renewal contracts.  Also exciting is HB 1853, we are working on allowing for cash payments for medical services to be attributed to deductibles.  Our bill incorporating the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-semitism into statute has turned out to be very popular legislation with 10 bills across the House and Senate on the topic.  Republicans and Democrats are working together to figure out how to combine the best parts of all the bills and to join together and get the bill done which makes me very happy.

Per the Oklahoma Constitution, our one job as legislators is to complete a balanced budget by the end of May.  I hope to do more than that, but I have spent a significant amount of time over the past month evaluating appropriated agencies and their effectiveness, efficiencies, and needs through committee hearings.

Even beyond the more formal hearing process, legislators often have the opportunity to learn more about proposed policy changes that will cost money.  For example, as a member of the public safety committee, I joined colleagues in Muskogee (photo below) where I learned about towing and wrecking.  I’ve never considered how the industry works but it is state regulated and its pricing is set by the state!  Turns out, like everybody else their cost of doing business has gone up.

Less fun was a budget hearing with Superintendent Ryan Walters where he persisted in his request for money for Bibles in the classroom.

When I ask different groups what they are concerned about this session, the overwhelming worry is about the proposed income tax cut simply because a cut would harm public schools, higher education, mental and physical healthcare, childcare – really no sector will be immune.  At this point, I think the most interest for the tax cut comes from the Governor’s office but there is a long way to go and I wonder what the resolve will be to hold off cuts as they would be very difficult for the state to ever restore.

See You/Saw You

We missed all those who could not attend our most recent townhall.  Big thanks to Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready who joined and shared information and updates about the Oklahoma Insurance Department.  I recommend checking out their website and following them on social media for truly helpful information and services.

Go ahead and save the date for our next one, Wednesday, March 5 from 6:00-7:00 PM at Schusterman-Benson Library.

The daily national news is a lot to process and just when you start to process it – it’s not the news anymore.  I know many are wondering what to do in the face of so much change, both those who support the new administration and those who don’t.  For me, I am working to do what I can to get good policy for Oklahomans and trying to respond to your needs and questions.  As my mom always says, “Everything will be ok in the end and if not, it’s not the end!”

I am here to to serve you – that (and the budget) is my number one job!  If you need any assistance, have questions or concerns or would like me to join something in district, here is a reminder of where to find me.

Let’s Keep Going –

Suzanne