59th legislative session starts
The first session of the 59th Legislature got underway last week. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt outlined his priorities in his annual State of the State address.
His first call was for education savings accounts, which would allow parents to use part of their tax dollars for education options of their choosing. He also would like to grant teacher pay raises based on performance and not just give across-the-board increases.
Stitt also wants to expand concurrent enrollment courses for high school students so they can more easily earn college credit even before they graduate high school.
He also suggested we rethink our CareerTech funding model, which was created more than 60 years ago. Instead of just building new buildings, Stitt said he would like us to invest in high school freshmen so they graduate ready to start a career in cybersecurity, diesel mechanics or many other fields.
Stitt mentioned the state savings account, which he said is $4 billion. We also have a $1.8 billion surplus this year.
He said this gives us the perfect opportunity to cut taxes. He wants to eliminate the state portion of the grocery tax and lower the individual income tax, returning more tax dollars back to the people. He wants to fund law enforcement and continue to fight against federal overreach.
Also this week, the House observed Rose Day. This take place each year near the beginning of the legislative session. Hundreds of people who support the protection of life for the unborn usually visit the Capitol and distribute roses to their state legislators, Stitt and Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell. Each rose symbolizes the life of an unborn child.
I would like to thank the members of my church, Big Creek Baptist, that made the long trip to the Capitol to take part in Rose Day. We didn’t have as many people at this year’s gathering as in the past. That may be because Roe vs. Wade was overturned by the United States Supreme Court, but I want to encourage people not to let their guard down. The fight is not over. There are some who want to grant exceptions to allow more abortions. I signed a statement this week with other lawmakers in support of our current abortion laws, which are the most comprehensive in the country. We intend to defend these current laws as they stand, with the only allowed exception being to save the life of the mother. We are compassionate toward women who face sometimes very difficult or even heartbreaking circumstances, but in the end we believe that each and every child has a right to life.
As always, if I can help you with anything, feel free to call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or e-mail me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.