Alva Review-Courier -

We’ve wrapped up our last legislative deadline, and we’re nearing towards the end of this year’s session. Constitutionally, we must adjourn by 5 p.m. on the last Friday in May, but it’s possible we could adjourn sooner. We’re getting closer to a budget for Fiscal Year 2023, which typically signals the end of session may be in sight.

In the meantime, we’re working on reviewing the governor’s executive nominations. We have more than 150 Oklahomans who have been nominated to state boards, agencies and commissions that we must vet and approve before we adjourn. I’m proud to carry the nominations of three very deserving citizens from our district this year.

Enid resident Deirdre Gurry has been nominated to the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority, which owns and operates the Oklahoma Air and Spaceport on behalf of the state of Oklahoma. The board is responsible for the operations and maintenance of the airport and spaceport.

Jason Turnbow, Enid, was appointed to the Board of Regents for Northern Oklahoma College in Alva. The Board manages the general affairs of the college, which was the state’s first public community college.

I’m also carrying the nomination of Peter Dillingham of Enid to the State Board of Career and Technology Education, which leads our state’s nationally renowned CareerTech system. Oklahoma CareerTech is comprised of 29 technology center districts that educate more than 426,000 students across the state to be valued members of the workforce. It also oversees several student organizations, like the Oklahoma FFA Organization and Oklahoma Technology Student Association (TSA). Mr. Dillingham was approved by the full Senate on Monday.

In closing, I hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day and were able to show the moms and mother figures in your life all of the appreciation they deserve. I’m very thankful for my wife, Terry, and all she’s done for our children throughout the years. She’s an excellent wife and example of a mom that always puts her children above herself, and I’m so proud of all she’s accomplished.

It’s an honor to serve as your voice at our state Capitol. Please feel free to reach out if there is anything I can help you with. You can contact me at 405-521-5630 or via email at [email protected].