Last week marked the tenth week of session, and much of the week was focused on committee work as we crossed the deadline to advance House bills to the Senate floor. We’re also still working to reach a budget agreement for Fiscal Year 2025.

With hundreds of policy ideas passing through the Legislature each year, it is important that we remain committed to implementing sensible solutions that will have a positive impact on our state and citizens. I am happy to report that one measure that was signed into law last year has done just that.

House Bill 1590 sought to improve the state’s 911 systems and implement Next Generation 911 (NG911) technology across the state. This upgraded technology allows for decreased response times, the ability to better identify caller locations, and helps with coordination between agencies, especially in the rural areas of our state.

The bill also increased the fee for cell phones that have the ability to call 911 from 75 cents to $1.25. It’s now been about six months since this legislation became law, and many cell phone bills have gone up the anticipated 50 cents per line, but some Oklahomans have actually seen a decrease on their costs for landlines. Since this bill took effect, all 10 counties that make up Senate District 27 have seen an average of a 100 percent increase in their revenues. Some of the most notable increases are from the Rogers Mills County Sheriff’s Office, whose estimated annual revenues grew from around $34,000 to more than $171,000, and the Cimarron County Sheriff's Office with an increase from about $45,000 to an estimated $220,000. This legislation is a prime example of working together towards the betterment of our state as a whole and enhancing services for our citizens.

In addition to a busy week of legislative work, I also had the opportunity to meet with students from Northwestern Oklahoma State University to discuss Oklahoma’s Promise, the state’s tuition program for Oklahoma students. Many of the students not only attend college in our district, but also have grown up in northwest Oklahoma.

This program assists many students across the state, including many rural students, and ensures they have access to higher education opportunities without the barrier of worrying how to pay for school. I will always support this program, and it was great to meet with students who have used these scholarships to attend NWOSU, preparing them for careers in a number of industries.

Also visiting this week was the Fairview High School football team, who has won the Class A State Championship for the last two years. They’re also the back-to-back state academic champions. Representative Newton recognized the team on the House floor and recognized them for their hard work and accomplishments.

It is an honor to serve as your voice at the Capitol. Please contact my office at [email protected] or 405-521-5626 if I can be of assistance to you.