Sen. Darcy Jech’s Press Releases

Late Wednesday evening, the State Senate passed a pay raise bill that would provide a 12.7% pay increase for all state teachers and state employees (SB133), but then failed by two votes to garner enough support on HB 1033xx, the legislation that would have funded those raises.

Senator Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, issued the following statement:

“I’m frustrated we didn’t have enough votes to fund the mechanisms that would have provided the 12.7% teacher pay raise.  I was hopeful we’d have enough bipartisan support to pass the measure.”

Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz announced Tuesday appointments to fill vacancies in leadership positions in various Senate committees. The appointments are:

Senate Energy Committee:
Sen. Mark Allen, R-Spiro, chair
Sen. Eddie Fields, R-Wynona, vice-chair

Senate Transportation Committee:
Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, chair
Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow, vice-chair

Senate Business Commerce and Tourism Committee:
Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow, chair read more.

On Thursday, October 12, the Apache Chamber recognized 2017 “Town Treasure” recipients, Pepper and Clorinda Tsotoke and Richard and Betty Vail.  State Senator Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, Senate District 26, presented citations to both couples at the banquet and issued the following statement with State Representative Scooter Park, House District 65, on Friday.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Southeastern Oklahoma State University head baseball coach Mike Metheny was recognized May 9 with a citation on the State Senate floor for being named the NCAA Division II All-Time winningest coach, according to State Senator Darcy Jech. 

On Tuesday, May 16, a tornado touched down in south Elk City, destroying at least 40 homes and heavily damaging several others.  State Senator Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, Senate District 26, issued the following statement Wednesday.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Members of the Senate staff joined Sen. Darcy Jech and his wife, Vicky, to volunteer at the Regional Food Bank in Oklahoma City on Thursday, November 10th.  The group of nearly 40 volunteers helped pack more than 8,000 pounds of food that will provide almost 2,500 backpacks filled with the equivalent of nearly 7,000 meals for Oklahoma children.

The event was part of the annual State Charitable Campaign (SCC), with the Senate and staff raising more than $6,400 to help feed Oklahoma families that struggle to make ends meet. 

Senate President Pro Tempore-Designate Mike Schulz on Tuesday announced his appointments of chairs and vice-chairs of Senate standing committees and appropriations subcommittees for the 56th Legislature.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A luncheon and ceremony commemorating the newly named J. Cooper West Memorial Highway was recently held in Elk City at the Portobello Grille.   State Senator Darcy Jech and Representative Todd Russ were both in attendance at the event.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Second grade students from Stephanie Payne’s class at Carnegie Elementary school were recently selected to decorate one of 26 Christmas trees inside the state Capitol, according to State Senator Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher.   Each year, schools across the state are invited to apply to be selected to participate in the decorating event in conjunction with the Governor’s Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The State Senate has confirmed the executive nomination of Carol Carver of Elk City to serve on the Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission, according to State Senator Darcy Jech. 

            Carver, an Elk City tag agent, has served on the Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission since 2009 and is currently serving as the acting chairperson.