School Week a fun experience

by Jessica Garvin

My calendar has been full of district events and others in recent weeks. I visited numerous schools during the “Take Your Legislator to School Week.” I had so many to visit, I had to go to Marlow Elementary a different week to complete my tour around the district. This was such a fun experience. I love being in the classroom, talking to students and hearing about what they’re learning and also getting to visit with our incredible teachers.

I also recently invited the State Chamber to visit Stephens County and tour some of the small businesses doing big things for our state, including Dream Team Prosthetics in Duncan. If you’d like me to come visit your business, please give me a call. I enjoy learning about new industries and meeting the folks who keep our economy running.

This past week, I was in Washington, D.C. to begin my nine-month Hunt-Kean fellowship. I’m honored to have been chosen to participate in this prestigious national program and learn effective education policies from other states and share about Oklahoma’s educational policies and outcomes. During this first meeting, we focused on early childhood learning and K-12 policy. I’m so grateful for opportunities like this to expand my knowledge and showcase our great schools and educators.

I also recently learned that I’ve been selected to serve as Women in Government’s Midwestern Regional Director for the upcoming board term. I was first appointed to serve as a state director for the leadership nonprofit last year, and I’m beyond honored to serve in this new role. Our swearing in ceremony will be Monday, Dec. 19.

We’ve received our new committee assignments, and I’m happy to report that I’ll be serving as the new chair of the General Government Committee, which addresses policy relating to municipal and county government, and the laws governing the functions of state agencies. I’ll also continue serving on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services as well as on the Retirement and Insurance and Rules Committees. My new assignments will include the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and the Tourism and Wildlife Committee.

Finally, with session starting in less than two months, work has begun on drafting legislation. I’ve already filed a few bills, including Senate Bill 1 on school carryover funds. This is an effort to untie schools’ hands when it comes to their general fund carryover.

If you have any questions or concerns on legislative matters, please write to Senator Jessica Garvin, State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. Room 237, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105, email me at Jessica.Garvin@oksenate.gov or call (405) 521-5522.