State Senate hits ground running to start 2023
It has been a wonderful start to the new year, and we’ve hit the ground running here at the State Capitol. Tuesday was the Senate’s constitutionally required organizational day. We started off the day by confirming results of the most recent election, giving approval for Sen. Greg Treat (R-Oklahoma City) to continue his service as President Pro Tempore, and leadership teams for both caucuses were announced. We finished our work in our chamber and then joined the House of Representatives for a joint session to adopt rules for the 59th Legislature.
During the organizational day, we also confirmed the committee chairs and assignments for the upcoming session. I am very proud to serve as vice-chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources and Regulatory Services. I’ll also serve on the Business and Commerce, Aeronautics and Transportation, Public Safety and Appropriations committees.
My colleagues and I left the organizational day feeling optimistic about all we can accomplish when session begins on Feb. 6, although we know there is much work to be done. The Board of Equalization (BOE) recently met and shared their initial certification indicating we will have slightly greater than $13 billion available to appropriate for Fiscal Year 2024. On the first day of session, when Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt delivers the State of the State Address, he’ll also share his executive budget based on the December BOE figures. The board again will meet later in February to make their final certification, and that’s what the Legislature will use in developing the budget. I hope to see our state remain fiscally conservative as we work to divvy up funds between state agencies, programs and projects.
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There is no better way to learn about the legislative process than seeing it first-hand. High school students in Oklahoma have the opportunity to spend a week at the state capitol through the Senate Page Program. During their week, they will be able to sit in on live floor hearings, attend committee meetings and complete various tasks related to daily operations of the Senate. Pages also will get to visit various Oklahoma City sights and restaurants during their stay, along with the possibility of visiting educational places like the Oklahoma History Center or Oklahoma Judicial Center.
I would love to extend this opportunity to eligible students in my district. If you are a junior or senior and interested, please call or e-mail my office, and we will be happy to help you start the application process. The Senate also offers internships, and you can inquire about available intern positions at https://oksenate.gov/ contacts/senate-intership.
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Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. If you have any questions about legislation, or need assistance with an issue, please contact me by e-mail at George.Burns@oksenate.gov or by telephone at (405) 5215614.
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Burns serves District 5 in the Oklahoma State Senate. His district includes parts or all of LeFlore, McCurtain and Pushmataha counties.