Hope and Optimism About the Future
February 5th, 2010
DURANT, Okla. – Hello again, everyone! The first week of the 2010 session has been completed, and the mood at the State Capitol is somber.
As we began grappling with hundreds of bills, the shadow of the state’s budget crisis looms over every meeting. Even so, we all share a sense of quiet resolve; none of us is willing to permit this temporary crisis from permanently weakening our state.
That was the foundation of Gov. Brad Henry’s final “State of the State” address. This was the 25th consecutive “State of the State” address I have attended under five different governors; never have the challenges for our state been greater.
Despite those challenges, Governor Henry spoke with hope and optimism about what the future holds for Oklahoma. The budget crisis is indeed a terrible challenge for the foreseeable future.
As dark as the night may be, the sun will come up tomorrow; the economy eventually will strengthen. Our challenge is to find ways to maintain the critical infrastructure of state government, and maintain its ability to serve the people of Oklahoma.
One of the bills clearing its first hurdle this week was my proposal to focus state resources on encouraging small businesses. It was approved by a budget subcommittee and next will be heard by the full Appropriations Committee.
In addition to the bills I have written, committee meetings provide additional opportunities to shape policy to boost the economy and give greater opportunities to the people of Oklahoma. In the Energy Committee this week, one of those opportunities presented itself.
Utility infrastructure is critical to economic growth in our state. No industry will locate where the utilities it needs are not present. A senator from southwestern Oklahoma proposed a bill creating a task force to examine the challenges of providing natural gas to communities in that region.
Over the years, many of you have expressed concern about the fact that we too have areas not served by natural gas. As the focus turns to clean and plentiful fuels, natural gas is a critical part of Oklahoma’s energy economy.
The committee approved an amendment I wrote that would expand the task force to include all of southern Oklahoma, including our region. The amended bill was approved and is now before the full Senate.
Wherever opportunities present themselves to strengthen our state, I will do my best to grab on to them. Throughout this session, I encourage you to keep up with the activities of the Oklahoma Senate and my work on your behalf. My website – www.gumm.us – is updated often with the latest from the Capitol and provides a link to contact me.
You can also follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jpgumm or on Twitter at twtter.com/jpgumm; both are updated frequently during the day. And, as always, you can call my Capitol office at (405) 521-5586 or (580) 924-2221.
Thanks again for reading this week’s “Senate Minute.” Have a great week, and may God bless you all.