Answering to eighth graders

Above Rep. Rick West, State Treasurer Todd Russ and State Auditor Cindy Byrd with eighth-graders from Hodgen Public Schools. Also shown are teacher Alicia Allen (back left), Superintendent Dennis Shoup (back right) and Principal Courtney Altstatt (to the right of Rep. West).

Answering to Eighth-Graders

By Rep. RICK WEST 

Two groups visited me at the State Capitol last week.

The first was the eighth-grade class from Hodgen Public Schools. My grandson is in this class. They were brought to the Capitol by Teacher Alicia Allen, Principal Courtney Altstatt and Superintendent Dennis Shoup.

I gave them a tour, took them on the House floor and fed them some pizza. I asked State Auditor Cindy Byrd and State Treasurer Todd Russ to speak to them. Both were great. Byrd told the students to always be proud they are from a small town and to never feel disadvantaged they attend a small school. Great people come from small communities and often have terrific values.

She also shared with the students some of her findings on her recent release of a Tulsa Public Schools’ audit. The findings are disappointing, but I appreciate the hard work of Auditor Byrd, and it makes me appreciative for schools like Hodgen.

Treasurer Russ told the students about his job and talked about the importance of learning to manage their money. The students asked good questions. It is always nice to speak to the next generation and inform them about their government.

I also got to meet with students from Wister Public Schools who are involved in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). Their teacher Paula Midgley brought them to the Capitol joining students from FCCLA chapters from across the state.

FCCLA is for students in Family and Consumer Sciences education in our schools. It offers resources and opportunities for students to pursue careers that support families. It’s a great organization.

Aside from the visitors, I had one of the busiest weeks I think I’ve ever had at the Capitol. This year, each policy bill must go through a policy and then an oversight committee before it is eligible for a vote on the House floor. Many bills have been amended between the first committee and the second, so this means a lot of extra reading.

One of my bills has been scheduled to be heard soon on the House floor.

House Bill 1185 would prohibit the destruction of military weapons of historic value. Instead, these weapons are to be donated to local veterans’ organizations to be used for honor guard salutes at veterans’ funerals. Nonworking weapons can be used for parts. This was a request from the LeFlore County Disabled Veterans chapter.

Another bill unanimously passed the Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Committee last week.

House Bill 1187 would remove the word group from the state employee health insurance opt-out provisions to clarify that when a state employee opts out of a state-provided health insurance plan, they do not have to be covered by a group health insurance plan. This should save the state some money.

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.  

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Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.

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