By Rep. Rick West
July 4 was celebrated with a lot of fanfare this year, as it was also the nation’s 250th birthday. I love this nation. I try never to take for granted the liberty we enjoy. Working in state government, I get a glimpse of how hard it must have been for our nation’s founders to come to agreement on documents such as the Declaration of Independence and, later, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
I think about the arguments that must have ensued. It makes our system of government and our freedoms even more precious to me. I’m thankful to all who work to keep us safe and free, including the members of our military, our veterans, our law enforcement and so much more. I’m also thankful to God for his grace and protection over our nation, flawed as we are at times.
I attended celebrations in Wister and Spiro, but I know many places had their own big shows of fireworks, parades, cookouts and more. I’m glad people came together to enjoy this holiday. I pray we make it another 250 years and more.
The executive director of the Oklahoma Tax Commission, Doug Linehan, is coming to our area later this month in a meeting that will be open to the public. The meeting is set for 1 p.m. July 29 at the Poteau Library. I anticipate some questions and concerns being shared, but I hope everyone will take the opportunity to thank Director Linehan for the gift of his time and travel down to meet with us.
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court reinforced an Oklahoma law that bans boys and men from competing in women’s sports in school or college. Oklahoma’s Senate Bill 2, the Save Women’s Sports Act, was signed into law in 2022. The law prohibits students who are male according to their biological sex at birth from competing on girls’ or women’s athletic teams in Oklahoma public schools or institutions of higher education. There’s been a push to allow transgender athletes — males who say they are transitioning to become girls, or vice versa — to compete on the teams that match the gender to which they identify. In many cases, however, males have physiological traits that give them an athletic advantage over females. In some cases, females have been hurt by male competitors. This ruling makes sense and will protect our girls and women. It affects other states that have similar laws as well. I’m glad to see this common-sense ruling by the court.
Remember to listen to my Capitol update on the radio at 7:35 a.m. every Thursday on KPRV.
As always, if I can help you with anything, please call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.
Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.
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