The Senate Appropriations Committee will hold an interim study this Thursday, September 19, to examine how the state manages its buildings and properties and how to innovate these processes, staffing and resources. The study, which will meet in room 535 at 9 a.m., was requested by Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City and Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton.

Sen. Julia Kirt will be holding a community forum next month to discuss legislative issues with citizens in Senate District 30. The public event will take place Tuesday, November 5 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital in Bethany. Kirt will be sharing information about interim studies, the upcoming bill request deadline, legislative issues from the 2019 session as well as what issues will be tackled next session.
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A bill that would create more than 300 new jobs in the Hinton was signed by the Governor this week, according to State Sen. Darcy Jech.

Senate Bill 116 authorizes private corrections companies to contract with federal agencies for the housing of federal prisoners in facilities owned and operated by the private corrections companies. The legislation allows existing facilities that are currently sitting vacant, like the Great Plains Correctional facility in Hinton, to re-open.
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The Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) is accepting applications for a new tag agent for Anadarko. That’s according to State Sen. Darcy Jech, who said the commission approved the move at their monthly meeting held on Thursday in Tulsa.

“Citizens who would normally be able to renew their driver license or tags in Anadarko have had to travel to other communities to conduct their business since the tag agency closed down,” said Jech, R-Kingfisher. “I’m pleased that OTC has begun the process to get the Anadarko tag agency open again.”

The Oklahoma State Election Board unanimously voted Tuesday to appoint Sherron Manning as Secretary of the Beckham County Election Board. Sen. Darcy Jech congratulated Manning on her appointment and thanked Alex Joseph for his service.
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The Oklahoma State Election Board recently appointed Joy Ferrell as Secretary of the Caddo County Election Board. Sen. Darcy Jech congratulated Ferrell on her appointment and thanked former Secretary, LaDonna J. Phillips, for her service.
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Allison Ikley-Freeman is now officially on the job as State Senator for District 37. The West Tulsa Democrat was sworn in during a ceremony at the Capitol on Thursday morning as friends, family and other supporters looked on from the Senate gallery.
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Senator Allison Ikley-Freeman (D-Tulsa) released the following statement on committee votes regarding the State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure:
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Senator Allison Ikley-Freeman, D-Tulsa, released the following statement addressing the recent flooding in Tulsa:

“Today we received an update from the Army Corps of Engineers indicating releases from the Keystone Dam are falling and the level of the Arkansas River is dropping. While this is welcome news, it is important for residents to be aware the situation is still very serious, and health and safety risks remain. As floodwaters recede, neighborhoods will be inspected for safety before evacuated residents are able to return.

State Sen. Carri Hicks is among a group of educators who sought public office in 2018 to fight for Oklahoma public schools. But by law in Oklahoma, when these legislators complete their service at the Capitol, they cannot return to the classroom for two years unless a school can find alternative funding that does not include state dollars. Hicks wants to give Oklahomans the opportunity to change that law and has filed Senate Joint Resolution 8. She’s dubbed the legislation the “Right to Return.”
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