While our state and nation continue to focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important that we do not forget about the United States Census. I’ve returned my census form, and I hope you will, too.

The census is mandated by the Constitution to be taken every 10 years, and it’s extremely important we get a full count. Unfortunately, our state response rate has trailed the national rate by about five percentage points. As of April 17, the national response rate was 49.4 percent and the state response rate was 44.5 percent. Across the district, Garfield County is leading the way with a 50.1 percent response rate. Kay County also is above the state average with a 48.5 percent response rate but is trailed by Grant County at 36.6 percent and Alfalfa County with 34.6 percent.

The bottom line is we need everyone to participate.

Getting an accurate count of our population is important because each year billions of dollars in federal funding earmarked for core services like health care and education are distributed to states based on data obtained by the census. For each Oklahoman not counted, our state loses out on an estimated $1,675 in federal funds each year for the next 10 years. That means every individual missed costs nearly $17,000 in funding over the next decade. This money would simply go to other states, and Oklahoma can’t afford to miss out.

If you haven’t yet filled out your census, visit 2020census.gov or call 844-330-2020 to complete the questionnaire. Participation from every single person in our state is vital to securing a brighter future for Oklahoma.

For those that qualified for the federal stimulus checks made possible by the CARES Act, direct deposits began hitting bank accounts this past week. If your bank account information is on file with the Internal Revenue Service, you should receive your money directly into your account. For all others, checks will begin to be mailed in May. If you would like to track your stimulus payment, please visit irs.gov.

Senate committees will convene through videoconference technology in the coming days to hear more than 80 executive nominations to numerous boards and commissions across the state. I’m proud to carry the nomination of Chad Dillingham of Enid to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission; Jami Groendyke of Enid to the Board of Regents of Northern Oklahoma College; Stanley Brownlee of Enid to the Board of Regents of Northern Oklahoma College; and Kyle Whitehead of Enid to the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy. Each of these individuals would serve in their appointed capacity well.

Please don’t forget about the upcoming blood drives I am hosting with the Oklahoma Blood Institute. COVID-19 has caused a blood shortage in our state, and this is an easy way we can all help out. The mobile blood bus will be at Burlington High School from 2 to 6 p.m. on April 28, and you can sign up to donate at obi.org. There will be three additional drives held in May, and I’ll let you know of those details as they become available.

I brought lunch by the Garfield County Health Department this past week and was informed that cases of the virus across District 19 are low. We are doing things right by limiting community spread, so please continue to follow health recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control.

We’re all in this together, and if there is anything I can help you with, please do not hesitate to reach out. You can reach me via email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-521-5630.