Senate Pro Tem Elect Lonnie Paxton has announced some committee assignments for the upcoming legislative session. In addition to my work as the chamber’s majority whip, I will continue serving as chairman of the Senate Business and Insurance Committee. I will also serve as the vice chairman of the newly formed Senate Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism Committee. This committee will take a hands-on approach to improving how Oklahoma attracts and retains new businesses while growing the state’s skilled workforce and flourishing tourism industry.Bill filing is really ramping up at the state Capitol. Senators have until Dec. 30 to file bills with a fiscal impact that could affect the state budget. I’ve been working with Senate staff on drafting a handful of bills for this session, and I filed my first ones this week. Among those was a bill to increase the cap on funding for the Oklahoma Historical Society.I’m still working on a number of other pieces of legislation. One that I think is especially important proposes giving the public a chance to decide if Oklahoma should allow for recall elections of state elected officials. Many other states permit recall elections of state officials, and some Oklahoma municipalities also authorize recall efforts at the local level. My legislation would give the Legislature the power to refer to the ballot a question asking whether a state lawmaker or statewide elected official should be retained or removed from office.I came up with this idea because impeachment — a legal process that begins in the House — is currently the only way to remove a state official from elected office. Oklahoma’s Constitution only authorizes impeachment in extremely limited circumstances, and most state lawmakers aren’t comfortable with removing a state official elected by Oklahoma voters. By allowing for recall elections, the Legislature could respect the will of the people because the public would decide whether an elected official stays or goes.Since this legislation proposes modifying the state’s Constitution, it would be put before voters in 2026 if approved by the Senate and the House. Once passed, the Legislature could refer a specific recall question to the ballot, asking voters whether an elected official should be removed or retained. This legislation is still a work in progress, but I look forward to filing the finished product soon.Finally, I hope everyone in Senate District 10 has a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. May ...
