Friends,

 

Happy Thanksgiving week! I hope the holiday brings time for gratitude, rest, and not too many dishes to wash!

 

The Most “Busiest” Time of the Year

It’s been a fast fall – the holidays are here but so are deadlines to file our 2026 bills! It’s a busy time!

 

Along with some of my colleagues, I recently participated in a community conversation at the Capitol where there was an “open mic” and individuals came and shared their ideas for policy in the very place where laws are made. A twist on our HD 70 townhall. There were lots of good ideas: everything from strengthening massage business regulations to protecting children from fentanyl exposure to cost relief for seniors with cancer.

 

All of my bills last year came right from Tulsa and HD 70 constituents and I hope to continue this tradition. We have a running list of things from end of life support to good time credits for incarcerated offenders. I’m also excited about continuing work for things like cutting red tape for small businesses, supporting our non-profits, consumer protection, medical price transparency and employer incentives for sharing in the cost of childcare.

We’ll have our own “community conversation” as our last constituent coffee of the year. If your schedule allows please join us. We will be at Village Inn, Thursday December 4th, 8:00-9:00 AM.

If you plan on attending, please register here.

 

The Good and the Bad

The state continues to struggle with underfunding at both the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Human Services. You may have read about the State’s costly struggle to timely assess the accused whose competency is in question. And here’s a story about some of the cuts being made in the area of childcare. This hits the work we’ve put in on decreasing cost and increasing access to childcare very hard.

 

I have spent a lot of time in the past several days fielding calls from childcare providers and parents who are impacted and it’s nothing short of devastating to understand the consequences of the cuts. I am hopeful we can find a way to avoid making them permanent as this industry is crucial to our economy and parents and caregivers are crucial to our workforce. Cuts to the state’s investment in early learning and care are the absolute wrong direction. I will work tirelessly to find a better solution that ensures our kids and families have the quality care they need.

 

In better news, Tulsa’s healthcare access is growing exponentially. In the span of 7 days, I attended a ribbon cutting for the James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center and the new OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center.

 

A new Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center, the James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center, is set to open in the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Academic Medical District in downtown Tulsa in 2026. The hospital is a collaborative project between the Department of Veterans Affairs, OSU, and private philanthropy. It’s a testament to our community to see this project become a reality through the public private partnerships that Tulsa steps up for every time. Not only will the Center provide the best care to our veterans but its presence will help transform downtown.

 

And right here in House District 70, Oklahoma’s only National Cancer Institute-designed hospital broke ground and is set to open in 2028! The Cancer Center will provide much needed care right here in Tulsa and save countless lives. Read all about the generous donors that brought this to Tulsa and more here.

 

ThanksGIVING

Here’s an easy recipe for a great pie if you want to try something new. It’s always a hit and one that never falls off the list for our family holidays.

In between all the business of the holidays, try to grab a minute and  stop by the Giving Machines at the Gathering Place. It’s a great and easy way to share what you can with your choice of local charities. Take friends and family, there’s music, holiday lights and decorations. You can learn all about the partner charities and the schedule of events here.

 

Last year, the Giving Machines in Tulsa didn’t quite do as much as those in OKC and Mayor Nichols has issued a challenge for us to do more (aka beat OKC!) this year. I know we can do it!  The Giving Machines are at the Gathering Place through Monday, December 8.

When I count my blessings on Thanksgiving I will certainly include what an honor it is to serve this District and do the work of public service with you all!  Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Let’s Keep Going –