Several of you have inquired as to why the Spavinaw State Park is closed. The winter flooding damaged the campsites, a storage building, restrooms, the road and utilities. The extent of repairs that need to be made exceeds the capability of the Oklahoma Department of Tourism. By state law, the repairs have to be put out to bid. There was a pre-bid meeting held last week to obtain quotes. The bids should be let in early April, with the requirement the contractor complete the work in 45 days with a penalty for delays. If all goes well, the park should be open for the Memorial Day holiday. First the tornado damage last spring, and then the winter flooding. Surely our bad luck with that park has run its course!
Legislatively, the House of Representatives have completed work on bills originating in the House. Those that passed have been sent to the Senate. Senate bills that passed have been sent to us and are making their way through the House committee process. Work on the budget is an ongoing process and continues daily.
There are many young members in the Legislature with children still at home, so last week – which was Spring Break in the school systems – was an abbreviated three-day week with no legislative session on Thursday to save the state money. Many members used this week to spend time with family.
Recent visitors from our area to the Capitol included the Mayes County Leadership Class, the Miami Chamber of Commerce and Tracy Shaw. In addition, I was recently honored to address the top Northeastern Oklahoma A&M students at their honors banquet in the student union.
It’s not all work and no play at the Capitol. Monday was the annual “Bob Wills Day,” with first the House Chamber, and later the rotunda, filled with wonderful classic country music with Oklahoma roots. Our state’s official country song is the Bob Wills tune “Faded Love.”
Thanks once again for allowing me to serve as your state representative. I can reached at dougcox@okhouse.gov or 405-557-7415.
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