Alva Review-Courier -

It's the time of year when much of the focus in the Legislature turns to the state budget process. It's the one constitutional duty we have each year – to pass a balanced budget. As it does most y...

One of the things I'm blessed to do each week is offer the invocation before the Wednesday Legislative Session of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Last week, I chose to read the scripture Philip...

The committee process has started anew as the House considers Senate bills before they advance to the House Floor. We had a bit of a slow week last week as we waited for the bills to be first- and...

The committee process has started anew as the House considers Senate bills before they advance to the House Floor. We had a bit of a slow week last week as we waited for the bills to be first- and...

My House Bill 3190 passed off the House Floor last week and moves to be heard in the Senate. This measure provides clarity to patients and doctors and would ease the process when prior authorization...

My House Bill 3194 passed off the House floor last week with a two-thirds majority vote. I have had numerous conversations with all those that had questions about this bill, addressing all concerns....

At the time of this writing, over one million acres have burned in Oklahoma and Texas. I'm thankful that much of our House district has been spared so far. There has been one small wildfire in our...

I had lots of visitors stop by my office at the Capitol last week, several I got to introduce from the House floor. On Tuesday we hosted FFA Day, and I spoke with students from across the state. On...

At the Capitol, we are still in the process of hearing bills in various committees. All bills are reviewed by the floor leadership team and then assigned to a committee. The committee must hear and...

The legislative session started last week with its usual business. The House and Senate convened Monday for a joint session to hear the governor's annual State of the State Address. He called on us...

With the start of the regular legislative session, I would like to share some information about the bills I will be presenting this year. One bill on which I've gotten several questions is House Bill...

A new year always makes me wax philosophical. I know it's just a flip of the calendar page, but I can't help but feel the weight of the symbolism. A new year is a time for new beginnings and fresh...

The governor has called the Legislature back into special session beginning Oct. 3. In his call, the governor specifically asked the Legislature to pass the following pieces of legislation: A trigger...

It's been quiet at the Capitol recently with our special session adjourned and interim studies not yet in full swing. This allowed me to take some time to attend to a project back in our House...

Now that our regular legislative session has concluded, I wanted to give a glimpse of how many bills were signed into law. Of the 1,991 House bills and joint resolutions introduced this year in our...

After months of wrangling, the House and Senate finally came together with the governor last week to announce an agreement on historic funding for public education. The plan includes $625 million in...

Now that we're in the final month of the legislative session, I and other lawmakers are focused almost totally on the state budget. Most of the policy bills have generally found their destination,...

Now that we're in the final month of the legislative session, I and other lawmakers are focused almost totally on the state budget. Most of the policy bills have generally found their destination,...

Deadline weeks are always interesting. Shaping public policy is necessary but sometimes messy work. With 149 lawmakers vying for what they believe is the best policy, we sometimes have a little...

In my last column I described a meeting I held recently with Sen. Casey Murdock and many concerned constituents in Major County regarding water and the devastating effects of our most recent drought....

The House and Senate are still working to come to consensus on an education plan that will add more funding to public schools, reward teachers and give parents more choices for their children. I know...

It was relatively quiet on the House floor last week but a very busy one in committees. I passed seven of the Senate bills I'm authoring this session. Three measures deal with elections: Senate Bill...

The House of Representatives in February passed a package of education bills that would give more funding to our public schools, including money for teacher pay raises, and more educational choices...

Last week was spring break for thousands of students across the state. Many took the opportunity to come to Oklahoma City to take part in the Oklahoma Youth Expo. This is a fantastic opportunity for...

The House passed a package of education bills this week that would give more funding to our public schools, including money for teacher pay raises, and more educational choices for parents and...