Legislature in Interim

By Rep. John Talley

Since the Legislature adjourned sine die last week, we are now in our interim period, which is the time we’re between regular sessions.

Our next session starts in February with all the members elected in November. In the meantime, we’re developing our interim study proposals, drafting legislation for next year and working with constituents on various issues.

Looking back on this legislative session, I want to highlight one major change the House made this year during the budget negotiation process. We launched our Budget Transparency Portal, which allowed the public to easily see where budget negotiations stood in real time.

This online dashboard represents a fantastic step toward government transparency by allowing taxpayers to easily track where every penny goes. Information in the portal was updated as changes were made and agreements were reached.

Along the top of the portal are different tabs. By clicking on a tab, like “Education,” you can see all the agencies and boards the Education Subcommittee is responsible for appropriating. There are three columns that represent what the agency requested and, when we were still in budget negotiations, where the House and Senate stood on funding. Now, those two columns reflect the number the Legislature agreed upon.

I hope you spend a few minutes checking it out when you get the chance. There’s a tutorial on the House’s main page at okhouse.gov, which is also where you can find the link to the portal.

As a reminder, there are elections later this month, and I hope everybody exercises their constitutional right to vote! You can use the Online Voter Portal on the State Election Board’s website at okvoterportal.okelections.us to find your polling place and view your sample ballot.

Early voting in Payne County will be available at the Stillwater Public Library and Cushing Chamber of Commerce. They will be open Thursday, June 13 and Friday, June 14 from 7am-6pm and Saturday, June 15 from 7am-2pm. For Logan County residents, early voting is located at the Logan County Election Board. Their availability is Thursday, June 13 and Friday, June 14 from 8am-6pm and Saturday, June 15 from 8am-2pm. No preregistration is required to early vote.

The primary elections, for races that require a primary, are June 18. Any necessary run-offs will occur Aug. 27, and the general election is set for Nov. 5.

Before I wrap up this week, I want to make everyone aware of an upcoming flag retirement ceremony organized by the Cushing American Legion. If you have a worn American flag you would like the American Legion to retire in accordance with the Flag Code, you can drop it in the drop box at the Legion Hall location at 214 S Noble Ave., Cushing. The ceremony will take place on June 14 beginning at 6 p.m. just south of Highway 33 on Highway 99 on the west side. The entry will be marked with the Cushing American Legion sign and a flag display. It will be a brief ceremony, but you are welcome to bring a chair if you would like to stay for the entirety of the fire.

As always, please reach out to my office at 405-557-7304 or [email protected] with any questions or concerns. Thank you for the honor of representing House District 33 at the State Capitol.

Rep. John Talley, a Republican, serves District 33 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which covers Logan and Payne Counties.