House Organizational Day

Tuesday, Jan. 5, was Organizational Day at the Oklahoma Capitol, marking the official start to the 58th Legislature. This day is required in the state Constitution and is set for the Tuesday following the first Monday in January every other year following the statewide election.

During this year’s Organizational Day, representatives elected Speaker Charles McCall and Speaker Pro Tem Terry O’Donnell to lead the house along with McCall’s chosen leadership team. We approved House rules and, in a joint session with the state Senate, certified the results from the November general election.

I am honored to be named vice chair of the House Utilities Committee. That committee is very important in House District 59 and was chaired last session by Rep. Sanders.

Early budget projections are better than expected as Oklahoma has remained open for business throughout most of the pandemic. Petroleum prices continue to stabilize, and our severe winter so far has created increased demand. The state Board of Equalization met in December giving the Legislature its first estimate of revenues for the Fiscal Year 2022 budget. They project $8.4 billion will be available to craft the budget. That is much better than first hoped. Some one-time funds used last year will have to be taken out of that figure, but it’s still a good start. We’ll know more when the board certifies its figures in February.

As discussed before, Gov. Stitt has moved closer to utilizing the managed care option in expanding Medicaid created by the passage of State Question 802. Many Oklahomans, along with state legislators have questions and concerns about this possibility. Regardless, health care will be a top priority when session begins, and it will take the House, Senate and the executive branch to determine Oklahoma’s best path forward.

It was announced this week that the U.S. Census numbers will not be available to President Trump as scheduled. As we all know, there is a battle underway in our nation’s Capital over whether or not to include the count of non-citizens in determining congressional representation. No doubt the delay will challenge the ability of the Oklahoma Legislature to address redistricting as mandated this session. Early estimates show a need to add over 3,100 voters to House District 59. I would invite everyone to participate in our Northwest redistricting meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, at the High Plains Technology Center, Seminar Center, 3921 34 St. in Woodward. Representative Carl Newton is the Northwest Committee chair for redistricting, so he will lead the meeting.

Along with other area legislators and our state leadership at the Capitol, I would ask for your prayers and support in the weeks and months ahead. We are here to represent you and make difficult choices as we seek to move our state forward.

Please reach out to my office anytime at (405) 557-7407 or email mike.dobrinski@okhouse.gov. I look forward to hearing from you or seeing you on your next visit.

In your service, Rep. Mike Dobrinski

*Mike Dobrinski represents District 59 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives