The following article is the third in a series previewing expectations and goals for Kingfisher County and the state, from the perspective of local leaders and stakeholders.

When the 2020 State Legislative session begins Feb. 3, Kingfisher’s State Rep. Mike Sanders and State Sen. Darcy Jech are ready to hit the ground running.

For Sanders, the session holds special signifi cance as it will be his last one after 12 years in the Legislature, barred from seeking re-election by state constitutional term limits.

“I look back over the last 11 years and I am proud of my legislative record – proud to author legislation protecting children from sexual predators, calling out DHS on past failed policies, rewriting the state’s DUI laws, bringing awareness to dyslexia in our schools starting next year and everything in between,” he said.

“I have no plans to watch the paint dry for my last year and look forward to continue my work as House majority leader and chairman of the House utility committee.”

Sanders said the Governor’s effort to save $2 billion last year, a measure both he and Jech supported, will help the state weather this year’s expected flat budget with no cuts in agency funding.

“I expect healthcare to be a priority, but I am against expanding Obamacare, which is Medicare expansion,” he said. “Gov. Stitt will roll out his healthcare plan and I am sure the Legislature will as well.”

Criminal justice reform also will be a hot topic, Sanders said, although he cautions against some measures that he believes will risk public safety.

“We have prisons for reasons and there are some bad people who should be held accountable,” he said.

Sanders’ personal focus will be expanding on a measure he authored last year to train teachers on signs of dyslexia by offering legislation for student screening.

Jech said he’s looking forward to Stitt’s second year in office, noting effective measures the Governor has already taken.

“He hit the ground running last year and has continued to do what he can to impact our state in a positive way,” he said.

In particular, Jech noted legislation which gave Stitt the authority to appoint agency directors and creation of the LOFT (Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency).

“The purpose of this offi ce will be to work directly with agencies in all things budget-related, which will be very beneficial to the Legislature when it comes time to write the 2021 budget,” Jech said.

Like Sanders, Jech also anticipates criminal justice reform to be an ongoing challenge.

Jech was appointed to represent the Senate on the REFORM task force, which is focused on legislation to allow released prisoners to safely and successfully re-enter the community, with appropriate supervision, treatment and opportunities.

He noted that even though oil and gas revenue is down, state finances show an increase in sales, use and corporate taxes, including those on internet sales.

Jech said he also expects to see a plan from the Governor to increase healthcare availability, in response to a state question proposing Medicaid expansion.

“He’s stated numerous times that he does not support full Medicaid expansion as many other states have done,” he said. “There would be a very considerable cost to the state and there would be no assurance that the federal dollars would be provided for the long term.

“I’ll be anxious to see Gov. Stitt’s plan and any collaborative plan that would come out of the legislature.”

Jech said he also is eager to see whether funding increases passed for all levels of education will begin to bear fruit in the classrooms.

“I’m hopeful that these increases will result in better educational outcomes.”