Coffee Talk

My wife Lisa and I have been blessed with two sons and two daughters. As parents, we do everything in our power to ensure their safety. As Co-President Pro Tempore of the Senate, I want the Legislature to do everything in its power to ensure the safety of all our citizens. That’s why I was extremely proud that among the first major bipartisan agreements reached between the leaders of the Senate, the House and Governor Brad Henry were supplemental funding agreements for the Department of Corrections and the Office of Juvenile Affairs.

We know there are serious problems in the Department of Corrections which has been underfunded for decades. We’ve agreed to a supplemental appropriation of $24,000,000 to address immediate needs within their department, although we must continue to work to address long-term funding needs within DOC. We’ve also agreed to a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $2,000,000 for OJA.

I believe this initial agreement bodes extremely well for the budget negotiations process, as we work to determine how best to prioritize available resources for the coming fiscal year.

Another major bipartisan agreement was also reached this past week. As you know, Burns Hargis was selected to become the next president of Oklahoma State University. Prior to that, he had served as a regent for the university. But as the law was written, Burns would have been unable to take over the reigns until a full year after his resignation as regent. This past week the Senate joined the House in unanimously approving a measure that would reduce that waiting period to just six months, and that bill has been signed into law by Governor Henry.

Burns is a proven leader in business and in the community, working tirelessly on behalf of the entire state of Oklahoma. In addition to his public service as a regent for OSU, he’s also a former chairman of the Human Services Commission. The talent, intelligence, experience and leadership he brings to OSU will reflect well on all of us—regardless of which team you root for on the football field or the basketball court. We wish him all the best in his new role.