I have noticed that when our members of Congress fail to support issues important to us or support ones we dislike, we have no problem publicly chastising them.  As Americans, this is our right, and I am grateful we live in a country where we can speak out without fear of reprisal.  However, I wonder if we spend the same amount of time thanking them when they vote in ways we agree with.

On January 14th of this year, we filed legislation that would prevent the sale of e-cigarettes and vapor products to anyone under the age of eighteen.  E-cigarettes and vapor products will be added to the Prevention of Youth Access to Tobacco Act as a nicotine delivery device.   

The future of education in Oklahoma has been hotly debated over the beginning weeks of our legislative session.  I think that debate is good and healthy.  The future of our state will be impacted directly by the decisions we make that effect the education of our children.

Spending a week paging at the state Capitol helped spark a Plainview High School graduate’s interest in government—and that interest has come full circle, bringing her back to the Capitol to serve as college intern with Sen. Frank Simpson’s office during the 2014 legislative session.

Madison Hobson is a junior at the University of Oklahoma.  A 2011 graduate of Plainview High School, she said the selection of a major in public affairs was really inspired by her experience paging for Rep. Pat Ownbey, R-Ardmore, during her junior year.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate leadership recently appointed Sen. Jason Smalley to serve as Chairman of the Senate Pensions Committee.  

“I’m honored to have been entrusted to chair this important legislative committee,” said Smalley, R-Stroud.  “We have a responsibility to be good stewards of our state employees’ retirement funds and to protect the long-term stability of the state’s pensions systems.”

Jason Smalley is now officially on the job as State Senator for District 28.  The Stroud Republican was sworn in during a ceremony at the Capitol on Tuesday as friends, family and other supporters looked on from the Senate gallery.

“I am extremely grateful to the citizens of District 28 for entrusting me to be their voice in the Senate,” Smalley said.  “I’m looking forward to promoting legislation to help create more jobs for our district and our state, expand our economy and generate more resources for education, public safety, and other core services.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Jason Smalley will be hosting Lt. Governor Todd Lamb next week as he crosses the state visiting all 77 counties to talk to local business owners, educators, county agencies and citizens.  

Lamb will be speaking at Territory Cellars in Stroud from 8:00-9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 13.  The public is welcome to attend to discuss state and legislative issues with the state officials.  

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Jason Smalley and Rep. Kevin Wallace have planned several legislative breakfasts throughout Seminole and Pottawatomie Counties in March and April.  The public is welcome and encouraged to attend these to get legislative updates as well as ask questions or share their concerns about legislative matters. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Jason Smalley and Rep. Kevin Wallace have planned several legislative breakfasts in Lincoln County in the coming weeks.  The public is welcome and encouraged to attend these to get legislative updates as well as ask questions or share their concerns about legislative matters. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The State Regents honored Sen. Jason Smalley with the Distinguished Service Award Monday at Seminole State College for his continued support of higher education in Oklahoma.