Sen. McCortney files first bills; prepares for 2017 session

Sen. Greg McCortney has filed his first three bills for consideration in the upcoming legislative session.  McCortney, R-Ada, said all three are aimed at either modernizing or unifying statutes concerning the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET).

“CLEET is a vital part of Oklahoma’s overall public safety efforts, and the center in Ada is vital to District 13.  The center and its mission are both priorities for me, and I look forward to working with CLEET and our law enforcement community in the State Senate,” McCortney said.

In addition to filing legislation, McCortney said he has been attending meetings in preparation for the session, including briefings and discussions on the state budget.

“We already know that Oklahoma will once again be facing significant budget shortages. Many of our core services have already endured numerous cuts, and those cuts have had a real impact for state programs and facilities in our communities,” McCortney said.  “We’re facing serious challenges but we’re already going over all the numbers and beginning the process of determining what steps we can take to address them and move our state forward.”

 This past Tuesday, McCortney cast his first official votes as a senator during the chamber’s organizational day.  While the session doesn’t technically begin until the first Monday in February, the Oklahoma Constitution calls for a single meeting in January following an election cycle.  On Tuesday, members met to elect leadership, certify 2016 election results and adopt the rules for conducting Senate business for the next two years.

McCortney has been assigned to the full Senate Appropriations Committee; the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health; as well the Committee on Health and Human Services; Public Safety; and Transportation.  He will serve on those committees in both sessions of the 56th Legislature.

“I’m looking forward to serving the citizens of District 13 in the 2017 session. If anyone has any concerns or questions about legislation or other issues we’re facing, I hope they’ll contact our office and let us know,” McCortney said.