Things have started off fast and furious the first couple of weeks of the legislative session with bills making their way through small committees before going to a vote by all 101 members of the House. Some bills pass committee, some do not. That is one reason why of the more than 2,000 bills at the beginning of session, only a few hundred make it through the process to become law.
While the various bills about laws get all of the publicity – especially emotional issues such as those dealing with abortion, gays, and guns – the most important work of the Legislature are the bills that craft the state budget. The budget we craft is what funds the core functions of government, such as roads, education, public safety (Highway Patrol, prisons, etc.) and Medicaid, just to name a few. As you have read in the paper and seen on television, the budget has less money in it this year than last. Our state Constitution requires the state Legislature, unlike the federal government, to balance our budget every year. Therefore, we will be scrambling to find funding sources to fill in the budget holes, which means governmental agencies are preparing for budget cuts. It will be an interesting, and sometimes painful, process.
On a more local level, I want to thank the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs for donating vehicles to the police departments in Spavinaw and Langley. It is good to see such cooperation between state and local law enforcement agencies.
Some local school districts have bond elections on March 3. Since I live in the Grove School District, that is the one I am most familiar with. It will replace an expiring bond, so there will be no increase in property tax. he bonds will be used for upgrading technology in all of the schools, as well as constructing a much needed auditorium/performing arts studio at the high school. Importantly, the auditorium will be constructed to FEMA standards so that it can withstand an F4 tornado and will be large enough to shelter every student and staff at the school. I value our secret ballot process but I don’t mind telling you that I am voting for the bond, and I hope you will give consideration to doing so. The future of our state and nation is in our schools.
It is a pleasure to serve as your state representative. Thanks for the opportunity. Feel free to contact me with issues, concerns or suggestions at dougcox@okhouse.gov or 405-557-7415.
The post Cox’s Corner by State Representative Doug Cox, M.D. appeared first on Grand Lake Business Journal.com.