Most of committee work now done at Capitol
We’ve officially completed the bulk of committee work for this session after the April 14 deadline to hear measures that originated in the House in our Senate committees, and vice versa. The House completed its work on the bills we have approved. The Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget will continue to meet throughout the rest of session to vote on budget bills as we work to finalize the Fiscal Year 2023 budget.
Aside from our work in committee, we convened in a joint session with our colleagues in the House to recognize the thousands of Oklahomans who’ve served our state for the annual Oklahoma National Guard and 45th Infantry Day. I’m a staunch supporter of our veterans and military, so it was a true honor to recognize their selflessness and service to every citizen in our state.
Our National Guardsmen have fought in wars dating back to World War I and help our state after natural disasters, like the recent tornadoes that ripped across Marshall County in southern Oklahoma around Lake Texoma, and even stepped in during the COVID pandemic, assisting hospitals across the state with staffing issues and even sanitizing buildings. Whenever there’s a need, our National Guard members step up to the plate and make sure our citizens are taken care of, and I’m very appreciative of their service.
I want you to know that the Legislature’s respect and honor of our veterans isn’t just lip service. We’ve approved a slate of promilitary and veterans bills this session to help make life a little easier for our heroes, including a measure to make education more affordable by allowing veterans to be eligible for in-state tuition for up to 10 years — a bill providing financial assistance for burial services for indigent veterans who were honorably discharged and legislation that would exempt sales of motor vehicles from counting towards the $25,000 annual sales tax exemption limit for fully disabled veterans.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you at our state Capitol. 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) 521-5614.