In the tenth week of the legislative session, we’re focused on committee work as we approach the deadline to advance House measures to the Senate floor.

As Chair of the Public Safety Committee, we’ve reviewed dozens of bills up to this point that are now eligible for consideration by the full Senate.

Additionally, in the Appropriations Committee, we’ve continued our work under the Senate’s budget transparency plan that was introduced earlier this year.

Subcommittees began hearing from state agencies in the interim to discuss their budgetary needs for Fiscal Year 2025.

Each of these meetings has been open to the public to ensure taxpayers have the opportunity to hear these budget negotiations and know exactly where their tax dollars are being spent.

I’ll keep you posted as we continue to work on the state budget through the remainder of session.

Last week, we celebrated AERO Day at the Capitol to recognize our state’s second-largest and fastest growing industry.

Rep. Anthony Moore and I had the opportunity to speak at the event to recognize one Oklahoman who dedicated his life and career to the aerospace and aviation industries, General Thomas Stafford. A Weatherford native, General Stafford had an extraordinary career that included hundreds of hours of space flight, piloting numerous military aircraft, and sharing his knowledge through his service on various boards and commissions, among countless other feats.

Representative Moore and I also had the opportunity to recognize General Stafford in both legislative chambers through Senate Concurrent Resolution 21.

We had the honor of meeting with members of Stafford’s family as well as Weatherford community members who joined us at the Capitol as we recognized this outstanding Oklahoman.

I encourage you to visit the Stafford Air and Space Museum in Weatherford to learn more about his legacy, as well as the Capitol to see the painting that has been dedicated in his honor.

I appreciate the Oklahoma Arts Council for their display on the fourth floor of the Capitol to honor the life of General Stafford during Aero Day.

In addition to Stafford’s painting, there are hundreds of other works of art worth seeing at the State Capitol, and I highly recommend visiting. Some of our district’s outstanding youth got to tour the Capitol and view the legislative process firsthand during their week as Senate pages.

I extend my appreciation to Jorden Beck from Kingfisher High School, Caden Wehmuller from Southwest Covenant High School, and Elizabeth King from Fort Cobb High School for all their assistance with various legislative tasks. I wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Members of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission and Oklahoma Farm Bureau have also recently visited to discuss various policies, issues, and needed investments in our state.

I always appreciate their input and thank them for stopping by. Additionally, American Farmers and Ranchers (AFR) held their day at the Capitol this week. It was great to visit with them and I appreciate their continual advocacy efforts.

My door is always open for constituents who have concerns or comments regarding legislative matters.

If I can be of assistance to you, please contact me by email at Darcy.Jech@oksenate.gov or by phone at 405-521-5545. You are also welcome to visit my Capitol office on the second floor.