Looking at the big picture at the Capitol

We’ve just concluded the third week of the 2025 session, and the focus continues to be on hearing and voting on legislation at the committee level.

Every child deserves a great education, and we are working to ensure they receive it. Dyslexia impacts one out of five people and can cause life-long difficulties reading. Senator Carri Hicks has authored Senate Bill 840, creating a micro-credential for teachers who complete the Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) certification or Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI). This would allow these specialists to do the testing and help create individual education plans (IEP) at no charge to parents so that their children can become better readers. Senator Jo Anna Dossett is the author of SB 487, expanding access to driver education for drivers of adaptive vehicles, critical for their economic independence – another great bill to win committee approval this session.

Last year the Legislature approved a professional sports tax rebate program, primarily on behalf of the Oklahoma City Thunder, but it would also be available for teams with the NFL, NHL, MLB and MLS.

 At the time, Senator Mary Boren asked about women’s professional sports teams. This year she authored legislation that would include women’s teams for professional basketball, softball and soccer. Interest in women’s sports in Oklahoma and across the country has never been greater. This is an economic development opportunity for our state, and a great way to create opportunity for women athletes right here in Oklahoma. I’m extremely proud of the legislation members of the Senate Democratic Caucus have championed and won support for in committee. These are bipartisan measures that will help improve lives in every part of our state, helping Oklahoma create more prosperous futures.

I am concerned about the push to expand the private school voucher program. I’ve been briefed by the Oklahoma Tax Commission about their efforts to claw back some $5 million that went to families whose children weren’t in private schools during the time period covered. That’s worrisome – I’m already opposed to public dollars being used for private schools, and alarmed that there weren’t guardrails in place. More accountability is needed.

We’ve also been reviewing funding requests from state agencies and have received the official word that there will be less money available to appropriate in the fiscal year 2026 budget. This comes at the same time as some are pushing for tax cuts that will further reduce funds for core services like education, transportation, health and public safety.

It means hard conversations must take place as we identify priorities and critical needs on behalf of Oklahomans. I’d like to invite you to be a part of these discussions. Earlier this session, Senate Democrats hosted an open house, and we had folks come from all across the state who wanted to share their views and concerns about some of the issues before us. It was so successful, we will be hosting a series called Capitol Conversations, beginning 5:30 p.m., March 3, here at the state Capitol in room 535. We want to hear your thoughts, priorities, and concerns, no matter where you live in Oklahoma. 

If you’d like more information or you’d like a link to attend this meeting virtually, email Julia.Kirt@oksenate.gov or call my office at 405-521-5636. Whether in person or online, I hope you will make plans to join us March 3 and let your voices be heard.