Opinion

Shane Hand will be starting a new position at America’s Health Insurance Plans as the Vice President of Federal Affairs. Hand has served as Cole’s Legislative Director since December 2021 and formerly as Cole’s Senior Policy Advisor on Health in 2021 and Legislative Assistant handling health, education and tax issues, among others, from 2019-2021.

The national security threat and humanitarian risk posed by the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border has brought our country to an important crossroads. It is far past time that we address President Joe Biden’s self-made border disaster, support our customs and border patrol (CBP) agents and provide reasonable reforms to a broken immigration system.

We’ve hit the ground running in 2024 with numerous budget hearings scheduled in the next two weeks as we continue work on the FY’25 budget. These are public and streamed live on the Senate website, so I encourage those who are interested in how our state agencies are using their current funding and what their plans are for the coming year to tune in.

In just two weeks of February 2021, Oklahoma’s largest public utilities incurred some $2.8 billion in fuel and purchased power costs (compared to $1.3 billion for all of 2020). Then lawmakers and two Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners allowed those utilities to tack on another $2 billion-plus of financing (aka “securitization”) expenses by issuing pricey ratepayer-backed bonds with terms as long as 28 years.

There has been a great deal of news coverage regarding Oklahoma’s refusal to accept federal funds to support children who qualify for free and reduced school lunches during the summer months.

Gov. Kevin Stitt has ignited a firestorm of controversy with a decision to opt out of a federal program designed to alleviate childhood hunger this summer.

On Christmas morning, 1776, as George Washington traversed the freezing waters of the Delaware River, his endeavor seemed more like a last-ditch-effort than a major battlefield operation. Under his command, the first year of America’s fight for independence had not gone his way, and after losing a string of key battles, Washington saw his targets on the other side of the Delaware as an opportunity to shift his luck.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is an annual national security bill that allows Congress to meet its constitutional duty to provide for the common defense. The annual mustpass legislation ensures America’s warfighters and Oklahoma’s installations have the training, equipment, and resources they need to remain the greatest fighting force in the world.

As I reflect on the significance of Christmas, I am reminded of the blessings that surround us. During this last month of the year, it is certainly easy to get swept up in the busyness of the end-of-year and holiday season to-do lists. However, we must not forget the values that unite us during this festive time.

Senator Jessica Garvin, R–Duncan, has filed legislation to increase the state penalty for carrying an illegal firearm onto school property. Senate Bill 1254 changes the already illegal infraction from a misdemeanor to a felony offense, increases the fine to $2,500 and allows state prosecutors to seek up to a year in prison if the individual carrying the weapon is found guilty.

On Friday, December 15, we passed another deadline as we prepare for the upcoming session and that was to have all our Senate bills filed that have a fiscal impact. These are the bills that will create revenue or require funding.