The Senate completed its special session this week and adjourned Sine Die after confirming the governor’s appointee to the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents and unanimously passing a resolution condemning political violence. My colleagues and I returned to the Capitol on July 15 to complete the special session the governor called in early June. The Senate overwhelmingly confirmed the governor’s appointment of Jennifer Callahan, an attorney with extensive agricultural law experience, to the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents, which oversees Oklahoma State University and several additional colleges. I was very impressed by Jennifer, and I think she will make a great addition to the board. The governor made a great choice in appointing her to this post.There is no place in this world for political violence, and I was proud to support a Senate resolution to that effect after the tragic shooting at President Donald Trump’s recent rally. I am thankful President Trump wasn’t killed or seriously injured, and my heart goes out to the innocent victims and their family members who are grieving after this tragedy.The Senate Republican caucus also met on July 15 to elect a new President Pro Tempore Designee, who will take over as our chamber’s leader when Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat leaves office in November. My caucus elected Sen. Lonnie Paxton, of Tuttle, to be our next leader. I appreciate Sen. Dave Rader, our caucus chair, for calling the election and proposing we suspend rules to allow proxy voting. There was no single election date that worked for all 40 GOP senators. By allowing proxy voting, all senators had an opportunity to vote in this important election.The Senate Pro Tem recently appointed me to serve on the Legislative Evaluation and Development Committee, a new oversight panel to help modernize the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and improve how the agency recruits businesses to the state. The Commerce Department’s CEO will present the agency’s plans for economic development to this new committee. Members will also review large incentive packages offered to attract new businesses to Oklahoma and help existing businesses grow. I’m eager to serve in this new role to ensure Oklahoma remains a businessfriendly state.On another business note, I’m grateful the Department of Commerce has awarded NuCera Solutions in Barnsdall a $750,000 business expansion incentive. This funding will help keep this critical employer in Barnsdall after the EF-4 tornado that hit the town this spring ...
