March 1, 2026

Friends,

We are one month into the legislative session, and we’re on a freight train to…  I’m not sure where.  Budget cuts?  Education investment?  Ban on data centers?  Insurance reform?  Re-legalizing cockfighting?  Licensing exotic dancers?  Not sure where we’ll end up, but bills are flying through the process.  The Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight committee I sit on had 51 bills in committee on Thursday!

Lawmaking isn’t the only thing we do during session.  Being in the Capitol provides an opportunity to learn so much about our state and its people.  Just in the past few days, I’ve visited with public school leaders, entrepreneurs who designed a safety app for police interactions, ALS patients and family members, building contractors, and more.  Like always, I enjoy all of it and am so very proud to represent you all at the State’s Capitol.

Here’s all the news I can think to share as we barrel forward!

HD70 Update

As a reminder, a typical bill must pass through 2 committees, be voted on the House floor and then go over to the Senate before finally landing on the Governor’s desk.  All 8 of our bills made it through the first checkpoint to stay alive this session, no easy feat in an election year.  Each bill requires strategic decision-making and numerous conversations to ensure lawmakers understand why it deserves their support.  I treat each one like a delicate flower that needs a personal explanation to each person to see why it’s beautiful!

Hot Topics

A big topic of conversation at our town hall and in the news is the bill that would require licenses for exotic dancers.  Some perceive it as an anti-vice law, but the intent is to cut down on the human trafficking that is taking place in these clubs.  As you all may recall, I conducted an interim study on human trafficking this summer, so I am very interested in the discussion around this bill.  You can read more about the bill here.

We also had a bill on the floor this week, introduced at the request of the White House, that would exclude non-citizens from accessing public benefits such as Medicaid, food assistance, and other basic services.  Through advocacy and conversations the bill was amended to ensure that U.S.-citizen children of immigrant parents are not denied services.  The bill passed 80-18 along party lines.  I voted no because I felt concerned that immigrant parents may be afraid to seek services for their eligible children.  I have no doubt immigration will continue to dominate the conversation this election year.  You all may have seen Governor Kevin Stitt in the national news on the topic recently.

Childcare is always on my mind — in good times and bad.  We are facing a major reduction of families served with the pending proposed cuts to the state’s investment in childcare for our workforce of $50M.  I really feel for parents and small business childcare providers all over the state reaching out to share what the consequences will be if the cuts are enacted.  My pledge to them is that I will be bringing their case to leaders and fellow decision makers until the budget is signed and done.  My hope is that with education and discussion, the state, industry and our families and kids can avoid the full $50 million in cuts.  Hear more about this issue here

With My Colleagues
In case you missed it, I was on Your Vote Counts this weekend with Senator Paul Rosino (R-OKC) and talked a bit about this year’s fast-paced session, bills, and more. It’s a rapid format, and I’m always figuring which camera to look at but proud to represent Tulsa on the show.  Watch here.

And this past Wednesday, Governor Kevin Stitt and the Department of Commerce hosted an economic development luncheon.  I was honored to attend with Karl Neumaier owner of HD70’s newest childcare, Celebree.  Besides Karl coming over from Tulsa, the best part of the lunch was when one of the business owners on the lunch panel said, “sure we get great economic incentives from the state, but we really need help solving the childcare crisis!”  It was as if Karl and I planted his remarks.  Childcare is truly part of what makes our economy work.

Town Halls

In case you missed our town hall but have opinions you’d like to share, please fill out this survey which covers suggested agencies and topics to cover in town halls to come.

We are working to schedule our next town hall and will you know as soon as a date is set.  With the pace of session and trying to schedule special guests, finding a good date is challenging!  Speaking of, this upcoming week is another deadline for our bills so think good thoughts for me as I take our absolutely gorgeous, life changing bouquet of flowers to the next steps.  As stressful as this job gets, I hope you know how much I love doing it with and for Tulsa!

Let’s Keep Going,

Suzanne