OKLAHOMA CITY – Tulsa’s aerospace and defense industry is helping drive Oklahoma’s growing $52.5 billion aerospace and defense economy, with more than 250 aerospace and defense companies and nearly 43,000 employees contributing more than $11 billion annually to the Tulsa region.

The figures come as the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics releases its latest economic impact data showing the statewide aerospace and defense industry supports more than 250,000 jobs and generates $52.5 billion in annual economic activity.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, is now the National Co-Chair of the American Irish Legislators Caucus. Boren was appointed during the 2026 summit in Ireland, attended by legislators from throughout the United States, including from Oklahoma. Also participating were Rep. Mark Chapman, R-Broken Arrow, Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Nikki Nice, D-Oklahoma City. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, today held an interim study to explore how state agencies can work together to address the thousands of abandoned medical marijuana grow operations scattered across Oklahoma.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, and other Senate leaders issued the following statements today after a new report from the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics showed the state’s aerospace and defense industry has increased significantly since the 2017 Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Industry Economic Impact Study.

According to the study, every major segment of the industry has grown, pushing its overall economic impact to a historic $52.5 billion.

Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle:

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senators Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, and Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, on Monday held an interim study to discuss solutions to water infrastructure and water quality challenges plaguing rural communities across the state.

Coleman and Hamilton invited constituents and state and local water experts to the Senate Agriculture and Wildlife Committee to describe statewide water problems that have led to increased boil orders and concerns about the safety of local water supplies.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senators Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, and Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, on Monday held an interim study to discuss solutions to water infrastructure and water quality challenges plaguing rural communities across the state.

Coleman and Hamilton invited constituents and state and local water experts to the Senate Agriculture and Wildlife Committee to describe statewide water problems that have led to increased boil orders and concerns about the safety of local water supplies.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, said the recent choice of the Hitachi Vantara factory in Norman by the World Economic Forum as a “Lighthouse” site is a hopeful event not only for that plant, but also for the workers, the community, and the organizations that support it. Boren called the honor a major achievement.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, says her recent interim study on supervised visitation has provided insight into the need to improve safety for children involved in court ordered supervised visitation, and the need to create greater accountability for those involved in the process.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt held an interim study at the state Capitol examining a critical but often overlooked issue in Oklahoma’s mental health system – what happens when a loved one is too sick to make medical decisions for themselves, but the family member legally responsible for helping them cannot get the information they need to help.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Jo Anna Dossett, D-Tulsa, led an interim study in the Senate’s Health and Human Services Committee investigating Oklahoma’s foster care reimbursement rates. The study included an expert on the foster care reimbursement landscape nationwide, as well as three in-state experts on foster care in Oklahoma.