Oklahoma legislature kicks off

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  • Rep. Mike Dobrinski
    Rep. Mike Dobrinski
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Tuesday, Jan. 5, was Organizational Day at the Oklahoma Capitol, marking the official start to the 58th Legislature. This day is required in the state Constitution and is set for the Tuesday following the first Monday in January every other year following the statewide election.

During this year’s Organizational Day, representatives elected Speaker Charles McCall and Speaker Pro Tem Terry O’Donnell to lead the house along with McCall’s chosen leadership team. We approved House rules and, in a joint session with the state Senate, certified the results from the November general election.

Early budget projections are better than expected as Oklahoma has remained open for business throughout most of the pandemic. Petroleum prices continue to stabilize, and our severe winter so far has created increased demand. The state Board of Equalization met in December giving the Legislature its first estimate of revenues for the Fiscal Year 2022 budget. They project $8.4 billion will be available to craft the budget. That is much better than first hoped. Some one-time funds used last year will have to be taken out of that figure, but it’s still a good start. We’ll know more when the board certifies its figures in February.

As discussed before, Gov. Stitt has moved closer to utilizing the managed care option in expanding Medicaid created by the passage of State Question 802. Many Oklahomans, along with state legislators have questions and concerns about this possibility. Regardless, health care will be a top priority when session begins, and it will take the House, Senate and the executive branch to determine Oklahoma’s best path forward.

Mike Dobrinski represents District 59 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes which includes Dewey and parts of Blaine, Canadian, Kingfisher and Woodward counties.