Articles from the 'Senate Review' series


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  • Renewed focus

    Senator Roland Pederson|Nov 27, 2024

    The new Senate term started Nov. 20, and I am busily working on upcoming legislation, moving our office and preparing for what the new transition in leadership will bring. I also have a renewed focus on what issues are pertinent to our community. With that in mind, I have been attending events that directly or indirectly affect District 19. Gov. Stitt held a water conference and research symposium on Nov. 19th. I was asked to participate in a legislative panel to discuss water concerns within...

  • Honored to begin my final term serving you

    Senator Roland Pederson|Nov 20, 2024

    November 11 is the most sacred day for our country. It is a day to remember and honor those who have served and sacrificed for our American freedoms. I want to pause and send a heartfelt Thank You to all veterans in our community and those around our great nation and the world. Election Day was a testament that the Electoral College works as it was intended, to protect rural interests and rights with the election of the United States president. Even though former President Trump won the popular...

  • Prioritizing transportation projects

    Senator Roland Pederson|Oct 2, 2024

    The month of September has slipped by rather quickly. I have had the opportunity to attend several events in the district. While traveling to those events, I encountered several road construction projects taking place. Some are on rural roads while most are on major highways. These projects are very expensive and badly needed. Many more projects will be taking place. Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) has an eight-year plan for highway and bridge construction. The eight-year plan was...

  • Grocery tax cut in effect Aug. 29

    Senator Roland Pederson|Aug 21, 2024

    Back to school is always a time that I look forward to happening. I am excited that the new school year has started, and I pray for a safe, fun-filled year of learning to take place. I wish all the teachers and students a great year, and I hope they continue to grow and learn to make our world a better place. I am thrilled to share that the new grocery tax goes into effect August 29, 2024, which is a much-needed financial relief for all families. The new tax relief defined sales of food and...

  • After livestreamed budget process, signed bills address illegal immigration, grocery tax, tornado recovery

    Sen. Roland Pederson|Jun 5, 2024

    Last week was an exciting week here at the Capitol. The Senate passed Senate Bill 1125, which lays out the framework for the $12.47 billion Fiscal Year 2025 budget agreement. The new fiscal year begins July 1, 2024. This year’s budget process was the first time in recent history that the budget negotiation process was open to the public and live-streamed. Because the budget was completed, we were able to meet our constitutional obligation of passing a budget, and Sine Die was a day early. On W...

  • Messy but transparent budget process

    Senator Roland Pederson|May 29, 2024

    This week is the last week of regular Session, and Sine Die Adjournment is scheduled for May 31, 2024. Midweek, budget negotiations ground to a halt, but as of Wednesday, the governor, Senate leadership, and House of Representatives leadership agreed on the budget. This is good news as we are near the deadline for our only required constitutional session obligation, to pass a budget. We are applauding the transparent process that got a little messy at times over the overview of budget numbers....

  • Transparent process for budget negotiations

    Senator Roland Pederson|May 22, 2024

    This past week has moved slowly with the 2024 Budget Summit negotiations between the governor, the House of Representatives leadership, and the Senate leadership. The transparent approach has allowed all to view these negotiations and to see how the citizens of Oklahoma’s tax money is projected to be spent. On March 19, the Senate released its proposed budget in Senate Resolution 31, which was nearly three weeks before the House openly released its proposed numbers. As a result, budget n...

  • Emergency drought commission, tuition bills signed

    Senator Roland Pederson|May 8, 2024

    Last week was quiet for the Senate except for conference committee work. One of my bills, HB2282, must go through the Conference Committee to restore the title. Once this occurs, then it will head to the governor’s desk for his signature. Gov. Stitt signed HB3182, my Emergency Drought Commission bill. This bill establishes a standing committee instead of waiting for an emergency order or executive order to be called by the Governor. The committee is made up of the secretary of the Oklahoma D...

  • 4-H, ag, military kids recognized in busy week at the Capitol

    Senator Roland Pederson|Apr 24, 2024

    Last week started with “Purple Up! For Military Kids Day.” Representative Dobrinski and I authored Senate Concurrent Resolution 20 (SCR20), which designates April 15 as Purple Up! For Military Kids Day in Oklahoma. The month was established in 1986 by former United States Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger to recognize the sacrifices made by military families and the important role military children play in the armed forces community. It was an honor to recognize members from all four milita...

  • 'Fast and furious' two weeks for Senate to consider 230 House bills

    Sen. Roland Pederson|Apr 17, 2024

    The deadline week for bills to make it out of committee is over. The next two weeks will be fast and furious. We have over 230 House bills to consider on the Senate floor, and I am sure there will be several that will be up for heated debate. I have five House bills to present on the Senate Floor and 3 Senate bills that are moving through the House. As with any session, our obligation is to deliver a balanced budget to the Governor for his signature. This process takes months of preparation and...

  • Oklahoma is first to recognize Medal of Honor recipients inside a state capitol building

    Sen. Roland Pederson|Apr 10, 2024

    Week 2 of committee meetings of considering House bills is under our belt. There were several bills in Public Safety and one bill in Veterans and Military Affairs. This week will be the last week to hear House policy bills in committee. Due to the transparent budget process the Senate has put in place, there has been a stalemate in hearing House bills in the Senate Appropriations Committee. Hopefully, that issue will be resolved soon, and budget negotiations can proceed. On Monday, we...

  • Pederson receives OKCare Legislator of the Year

    Senator Roland Pederson|Apr 3, 2024

    This past week was relatively quiet here at the Capitol. Committee work has begun to hear nearly 400 bills that the House sent over for consideration. I presented one bill in the Agriculture Committee, HB3822, which dedicates the third full week of April as "Healthy Soils Week." This bill recognizes the importance of healthy soil and the important work done by Oklahoma farmers. I have a few more bills to get across the finish line this session. Stay tuned for those updates. OYE (Oklahoma Youth...

  • Industrial hemp bill passes out of committee

    Senator Roland Pederson|Feb 21, 2024

    We have made it through week two of session, and we are off to a great start. I had the opportunity to pass two bills through committee this week including SB 1422, which creates the Industrial Hemp Task Force and passed out of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Also, SB 1209 regarding Honorary Consul Vanity Plates, passed out of the Aeronautics and Transportation Committee and was then approved on the Senate Floor. SB 1209 is now headed to the House for consideration. SB 1422 will establish a task...

  • Senate committees meet to start work on 800-plus bills

    Senator Roland Pederson|Feb 14, 2024

    The first week of session is behind us, and it appears to be off to a good start. The Governor's State of the State address held few surprises. Hopefully the session will be less contentious than it was last year. However, great things were accomplished last session especially in all levels of education. The hope now is for even greater outcomes for all students in Oklahoma. We are running two sessions as the legislative season begins. The Special Session to consider tax cuts is running...