This year’s legislative session wrapped up last month, concluding with the Senate giving final approval to next year’s state budget. The 2019 session, which has been called one of the best in years, focused on milestone achievements including major investments in classroom funding, a pay raise for teachers for the second year in a row, transformational government accountability measures, increased funding for criminal justice reforms, the passage of constitutional carry, and many other successes.  

The budget for Fiscal Year 2020 also allows the state to put $400 million into the Rainy Day Fund, which currently already has a balance of upwards of $480 million, in addition to saving another $200 million in a separate state savings account.  This will ensure the state is properly prepared for an economic downturn without jeopardizing core services or being forced to take funding from other sources.   We were also able to secure $29 million for a fund to preserve Medicaid provider rates during times of economic uncertainty.

Education got a significant boost, with $157.9 million in increased funding for public schools, with $74.4 million in new classroom funding and an average $1,220 pay raise for teachers.   $18 million has been appropriated for CareerTech and another $28 million for higher education.  We also passed Senate Bill 441 to increase classroom instructional time to benefit students.

Government accountability and modernization were prioritized this year too.  We passed a series of bills to give the governor the authority to hire or fire the directors of the state’s five top agencies and we created the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT), which was signed into law this week by the governor.  The measure provides data to lawmakers and the public on agency budgets and performance.  LOFT also includes performance evaluations of agencies, programs, or specific divisions, and has open access to all agency data and budgets.  The group will be overseen by a bipartisan committee of House and Senate members, as well as a small nonpartisan, independent staff of highly educated professionals.

Agriculture received a shot in the arm as well, with $1.1 million for wildfire mitigation and additional resources for rural fire fighters, as well as $1.5 million to improve rural flood control dams.  

Criminal justice reforms made impressive progress this year as well, with “Pay for Success” programs encouraging innovative public/private partnerships to help state agencies provide services without risking tax dollars.  Additionally, $20.1 million has been allocated to District Attorney Office funding and $10 million for “Smart on Crime” mental health and substance abuse treatment programming. Department of Corrections employees who work “behind the wire” were also given a $4,000 raise this year.   Many will also remember Oklahomans’ Second Amendment rights were protected this year via constitutional carry legislation.

I was recently designated by Senate President Pro Tem Treat to serve on RESTORE, which is the governor’s criminal reform task force.  The 15-member panel, led by Secretary of Public Safety Chip Keating, has been tasked to come up with ways to reduce the state’s incarceration rate and enhance diversion programs.  The task force will present reform recommendations to the governor and the legislature to consider in next year’s session.

Also this year, it was an honor to carry and confirm Governor Stitt’s appointments to various committees.  I appreciate their willingness to serve and I’m confident they will be tremendous assets to their posts and will serve the state well.  

As we move into the interim, I’m looking forward to spending time out and about in the district.  One of the best parts about serving as your Senator is having the opportunity to visit with folks from the district.  

As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments on any issue or concern.  Please contact me or my executive assistant, Jamie Hudson, if we can assist you.  We can be reached at the state Capitol by calling (405) 521-5545 or by email at jech@oksenate.gov.  If you’re at the Capitol and would like to stop by for a visit, you can find us in Room 417.