OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Majority Leader Greg McCortney announced Wednesday that legislative leaders from both chambers had agreed to appropriate an additional $20 million for emergency drought relief.  Those funds are in addition to the $3 million already allocated for drought relief during the 2022 legislative session.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate’s art collection now features its first piece of blown glass artwork.  During a special dedication ceremony held Wednesday in the Senate Chamber, Sen. Mark Allen, and his wife, Nikki, gifted a sculpture to the Senate entitled “Dragonfly Summer.”  The piece was created by Poteau-based glass artist Steve Brewster.

Allen, R-Spiro, is entering his final weeks of service in the Senate due to term limits.

Leader McCortney and Leader Echols will be holding a press conference on Wednesday, September 28, 2022.

Speakers in order:

Rep. Jon Echols

Sen. Greg McCortney

OKLAHOMA CITY – One of the major issues the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding wants the Legislature to address in special session is the state’s lack of child care. Sen. Adam Pugh is the co-chair of the Economic Development and Workforce Working Group that has recommended providing $25 million to the YMCA to expand their child care and after school programs around the state to better serve Oklahoma parents.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding recently submitted its final recommendations to the Legislature for the state’s portion of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Co-chairs of the Economic Development and Workforce Working Group Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, and Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, praised their colleagues’ dedication to meet Oklahoma’s workforce challenges and strengthen its economy following the pandemic. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, and Vice Chair Chuck Hall, R- Perry, said Oklahomans would see generational benefits as a result of the incredible hard work and dedication of members of the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding over the past year.  On Tuesday, the bicameral, bipartisan committee approved more than $1.1 billion in projects through funding provided by the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that will address critical needs facing the state – needs that were heightened as a result of the pandemic. Thompson and Hal

OKLAHOMA CITY – More than half of Oklahoma’s population lives in areas where there are not enough  licensed child care providers, but Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson is hopeful that a new grant program offered by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) will help fill that need and create jo

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. President Pro Tem Greg Treat and Sen. Paul Rosino (R-Oklahoma City) released the following joint statement after the Helping Every Life and Parent (H.E.L.P) Task Force unanimously recommended the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) expand coverage for SoonerCare members receiving pregnancy and postpartum services. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The official 9/11 Remembrance “Freedom Flag” will be flown at the Oklahoma State Capitol beginning today, Sept. 9 through Sept. 16 in remembrance of the victims who died, first responders and military personnel that responded to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Legislative Diabetes Caucus is partnering with the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) and Diabetes Solutions of Oklahoma to host a statewide blood drive to raise awareness for diabetes. Caucus co-chairs Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant, said the “Mission Express: Turn Blue for Diabetes” statewide blood drive is taking place through Friday, Sept. 16 and will provide an opportunity to address two of the state’s critical health needs.