During special session this week, the state Legislature approved an additional $20 million for drought relief for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers. This is on top of the $3 million delivered earlier this month.
The drought in Oklahoma is severe, and many farmers and ranchers are at the breaking point. In our regular session, we approved moving $3 million into the state's Emergency Drought Relief Fund, and that money was released several weeks ago through an executive order by Gov. Stitt. Distribution of state funds to livestock and agricultural producers will be overseen by the Emergency Drought Commission, established in the governor's executive order.
Funds can be spent on things such as drilling wells to replenish depleted farm ponds or providing for supplemental feed for distressed cattle as well as other drought-relief efforts.
The commission is made up of the executive director of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, the executive director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the secretary of agriculture, who will serve as the chair of the commission.
The state dollars, which are coming out of our cash reserves, are in additional to federal money available for Oklahomans for drought relief.
Also during special session, we appropriated $382.1 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the State Broadband Grant Program Revolving Fund to continue our buildout of high-speed internet throughout the state. We learned during the pandemic that about 80% of Oklahomans lacked connectivity. This put students at a severe disadvantage when schools went to virtual learning models. It also limited people from being able to access telehealth services, and it harmed business owners and consumers trying to use online services.
In addition, we appropriated $20 million to the Woodward Regional Airport to build an air traffic control tower, in an effort to increase future economic development in the region. This funding comes from the Progressing Rural Economic Prosperity Fund, created during our regular session. The goal of the fund is to help rural localities improve their industrial parks and business sites for economic development purposes. The Woodward Airport already has two paved runways, one more than 5,500 feet long, but it lacks a control tower. Building this will help the airport attract more business into our area.
Additional funding benefitting our House District will go to Western Plains Youth & Family Services in Woodward. The facility will receive $915,100 to create a flexible indoor/outdoor space to expand services while increasing safety precautions for clients and staff. This will help in meeting the needs of youth in extreme circumstances.
Please follow regular updates on my House Facebook page or reach out anytime at (405) 557-7407 o r Mike.Dobrinski@okhouse.g ov.
Mike Dobrinski serves District 59 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Dewey and parts of Blaine, Canadian, Kingfisher and Woodward counties.