Greetings from your State Capitol! This week the pace slowed down considerably as we moved back to the committee process to begin hearing bills that passed out of the Senate.



When the session began, members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives had filed 1,077 new House bills and 36 new joint resolutions this year. Of that number, 872 passed their assigned committee and 490 were approved by the full House and sent to the state Senate. The Senate sent a total of 534 measures which have been sent to the House of Representatives.



This week's excitement focused around a shakeup in Republican leadership and a struggle with rural fire protection needs. Frustrated with management of the House business, the Republican Speaker ousted his floor leader. It appears Republican members were upset at the fact that over 300 bills died for lack of a hearing on the floor while a great deal of time was spent on controversial, political wedge issues that likely have no hope of making their way through the legislative process to become law.



House Democrats sought the hearing of Senate Bill 1735, a bill that passed the Senate unanimously to provide an increase in operational grant funds for rural fire departments. Rep. Dale Turner attempted to bring the matter to the floor for a vote on a day when several hundred firefighters were at the capitol. His motion was tabled by Republicans on a party-line vote so the bill stalled. I remain optimistic that we will get a bill to the floor next week for a vote.



SB1735 would increase operational grant funds by almost 45% ($2,220) for local fire departments which would bring the total grant that each department receives to $5000. This measure must be voted on by the House before it can be signed by the Governor.



It should not matter who authors the bill as long as we take care of our rural fire departments. It is imperative that we must increase funding for our local departments. Our firefighters are true Oklahoma Heroes and deserve to have the equipment to protect them when saving precious lives and valuable property. The past four months have shown how important our rural fire departments are and we as legislators must make a solid commitment to tell these volunteers that we stand behind them and appreciate their service.



This past week we had numerous visitors including Anthony Due from GRDA, Pryor Architect Sean Pendley, and Inola Superintendent Jake Crutchfield. Members of the Mayes County's DAV also visited the capitol this week to visit about veterans' concerns. It was a pleasure to host the Doctor of the Day and Student Doctor of the Day for the House of Representatives. Dr. Paul Battles, a physician in Pryor since 1981, and his daughter Kristen, a student at the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. We are fortunate to have quality healthcare options in the Pryor area. I also attended the Mayes County Farm Bureau legislative dinner at Moore's Fish Farm. It is always great to see so many friendly faces from home.



Thank you for allowing me this honor of serving you at the House of Representatives. If I can be of assistance, please call me at 405-557-7365 or email bensherrer@okhouse.gov. Until next week, may God continue to bless you and your family.