Although the 2017 session has not yet begun, freshman Sen. Joe Newhouse has already determined his focus for the next four years—helping address the need to revisit specific tax preferences in order to better manage public resources. Last month, the Oklahoma Incentive Evaluation Commission released a lengthy report focusing on 11 tax incentives. Newhouse has filed a slate of bills for the 2017 session largely based on the findings of that report.

After the legislature’s unanimous approval for what would become State Question 800, and the subsequent failure at the ballot, Sen. John Michael Montgomery and Rep. Kyle Hilbert announced their intention to re-introduce the concept.

State Sen. Casey Murdock will hold a town hall meeting in Woodward on Thursday, Dec. 12. Citizens throughout Woodward County are welcome to attend. The meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., at the High Plains Technology Center, 3921 34th Street in the main buildings general meeting room, 201 A and B.

State Sen. Casey Murdock will hold a town hall meeting in Taloga on Tuesday, Dec. 10. Citizens throughout Dewey County are invited to attend. The meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Taloga School Auditorium, 500 East Ruble Ave.

State Sen. Casey Murdock will hold a town hall meeting in Fairview on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Citizens throughout Major County are welcome to attend. The meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fairview Community Centers East Room, 206 East Broadway.

A bill naming the ribeye as Oklahomas official state steak has been signed into law. Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt is the author of Senate Bill 21 along with House principal author Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Lawton.

Murdock said with 5.1 million head of beef cattle in Oklahoma, the state is ranked third in the nation in beef cattle. He said declaring the ribeye the states official steak is aimed at drawing attention to that industry.

A bill limiting how much land the Wildlife Conservation Commission can purchase is awaiting a vote by the full Senate. State Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, is the principal author of the measure, which would prevent the Commission from buying more land than they sell each year.

Oklahoma has an official state flower, a waltz, a state instrument—and on Wednesday, the Senate voted for a bill designating the ribeye as Oklahoma’s official state steak. State Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, is the author of Senate Bill 21. Murdock said the bill is all about promoting a vital part of Oklahoma’s economy and heritage.

“The cattle industry is a huge part of Oklahoma’s identity,” Murdock said. “We have 5.1 million head of beef cows in Oklahoma and we’re third in the nation in the number of beef cows.”

State Sen. Casey Murdock said legislation giving counties an opportunity to opt out of Oklahoma’s medical marijuana law approved last year was his effort to represent the will of the people in Senate District 27.

Legislation to add school nurses or other designated employees to those who can administer life-saving opiate antagonists has been signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt. Current law includes first-responders, such as emergency medical technicians, law enforcement and firefighters.