Comanche County delegation praises success of the 2022 legislative session

Following the passage of the Fiscal Year 2023 budget and the conclusion of the 2022 legislative session, members of the Comanche County legislative delegation, including Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton; Sen. Chris Kidd, R-Waurika; Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Lawton; Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin; Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton; and Rep Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, said they support the historic budget that blends fiscal conservatism with targeted investments and call the legislative session a success.

“While no member gets everything they want within the budget, the FY’ 2023 agreement protects future state services from cuts during the next inevitable economic downturn, funds public safety and law enforcement at record levels, protects public education funding, invests in rural health care, incentivizes rural businesses, and diversifies our state’s economy. We were all proud to vote yes on this historic agreement and are proud of the legislative accomplishments from this session that will have a positive impact in Comanche County and Southwestern Oklahoma as a whole.” – Comanche County delegation

The group pointed to numerous provisions passed during the legislative session that would directly impact area schools, hospitals and businesses, including the following:

Education: The Legislature continues to prioritize education funding and appropriated $3.2 billion for public K-12 schools – the highest funding in state history.  Oklahoma’s Redbud Grants were expanded, providing the infusion of millions of dollars for public schools across the district.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds were also approved to address the state’s nursing shortage. $55 million will be used to establish grant programs for colleges, universities and technology centers to expand nursing programs. These dollars will directly impact Cameron University and the Great Plains Technology Center in Lawton.

Health care: Health and human services received the second-largest state appropriation of $2.8 billion. Headlining this appropriation was an additional $32.5 million to completely eliminate the state’s developmentally disabled waiting list within 18 to 24 months, providing services to approximately 5,000 Oklahomans – some who’ve been waiting for as long as 13 years.

A Medicaid reform plan was also approved, which will utilize a federal program to significantly increase Medicaid reimbursement rates, enabling the state to keep rural hospitals open and shift the emphasis from tests and other fee-for-services procedures to healthier outcomes for patients.

Economic development: Additional incentives were passed to diversify the state’s economy, including legislation that would make Oklahoma a leader in hydrogen production. $250 million was also set aside in the budget for the newly created Progressing Rural Economic Prosperity (PREP) Fund, which will help economic development initiatives across the state, particularly intended for industrial parks, like the Goodyear plant in Lawton. The fund could also be used for rural hospital projects.

Another measure will create the Research and Development Attraction Grants Program through the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST), which will provide matching funds to eligible businesses involved in research and development in aerospace and energy diversification.

Public safety: The 2023 budget includes 30 percent pay raises for Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troopers and additional funding for raises for Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) agents, court reporters, bailiffs, state park rangers and more. It also increases funding for law enforcement training and academies and officer mental health support.

The Attorney General’s office will also receive increased appropriations to create a human trafficking division, aimed at fighting trafficking crimes historically committed against women and children as well as an additional $10 million to continue fighting federal overreach from the Biden administration.

Rural broadband: Additional legislation was approved to ensure 95 percent of Oklahoma has a high-speed broadband connection within the next five years.

Taxes: Legislation was passed to reimburse counties for the ad valorem lost from the 100 percent disabled veterans exemption. The measure reimburses 25 percent of the most impacted counties, which would provide Comanche County a partial refund of local tax dollars.