Opinion

In a 2019 pledge, Joe Biden vowed to end fossil fuels, a stance now manifesting through numerous policies detrimental to the oil and gas industry, critical for Oklahoma’s economy. The Institute for Energy Research highlights over 150 Biden administration actions against fossil fuels, exacerbating energy costs nationwide and undermining Oklahoma’s economic stability and job market.

Iwas born in Mangum and spent my formative years in Altus. Although I live in Oklahoma City today, I feel a deep connection to Oklahoma’s rural communities. I also feel a deep sadness as I watch those communities fight for their survival, and in some cases be hollowed out as they lose major employers and economic opportunity. The impending loss of the Ardmore Michelin plant and its 1400+ jobs is another body blow, not just to that community, but all of us who want to see rural Oklahoma survive and thrive.

The Senate has passed the halfway point in this legislative session.

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee since 2009, I have spent an abundance of time working on how we can reduce our national debt, balance the budget, and keep money in American pockets, instead of in Washington. However, as a budget hawk, I know that the U.S. deficit problem cannot be solved exclusively in the Appropriations Committee, as discretionary spending only amounts to roughly 28 percent of U.S. expenditures.

This week we learn about The American Legion’s Legislative Division. Our Mission: To provide staff support to the Legislative Commission and its Convention Committee; serve as the principal advocate of service members, veterans, and their families on Capitol Hill; provide members of Congress and their professional staff valuable information that furthers their, and our, goals along with our standing as an institutional authority in the veteran community; to facilitate the completion of goals set by our members through resolution; and to enhance strategic collaboration and partnerships ensuring benefits and services are available to service members and veterans for generations to come.

City of Newcastle Director of Parks & Recreation Kyle Marks said he’s looking for businesses and individuals to sponsor this year’s Newcastle Red, White & Blue Fest, which will be from 5-9:45 p.m June 29.

The Senate took a major step in our new state budget process by voting on a proposed spending plan for the upcoming year. I voted in support of Senate Resolution 31, which details the proposed $12.3 billion spending plan my fellow senators and I have helped craft over the past couple of months.

E arlier in March, the Senate cleared its second major deadline week of this session with a lengthy, 13-hour floor hearing, in which we advanced numerous bills to the House. March 14 was the deadline for bills to be heard in their chamber of origin, meaning Senate bills that advanced from committee had to pass off the Senate floor last week in order to continue through the legislative process.

Last week we learned that in June 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of The American Legion in its case to allow a 40-foot cross-shaped memorial in Prince George’s County, Maryland, to stay on public property.

Members of the Oklahoma Women’s Legislative Caucus are helping bring attention to Women’s History Month, observed each March, celebrating the outstanding contributions women have made throughout the nation’s history.

At a time when we are facing so many challenges and threats, the need for strong national security is as important as ever. Yet, the Biden Administration’s displays of weakness both at home and abroad have put our nation’s national security is at risk.