Legislative session starts
By Rep. RICK WEST
The First Session of the 59th Legislature got underway last week. The governor 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.
The governor 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 over 60 years ago. Instead of just building new buildings, the governor 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.
The governor mentioned the state savings account, which he said is $4 billion. We also have a $1.8 billion surplus this year.
The governor 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 is held 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, the governor and the lieutenant governor. 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 v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. 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 email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.
Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.
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