Opinion

OKLAHOMA - By the time this paper prints, I will be gone, departed for the West to take a different job opportunity. Part of the decision was because we love the West, part of it because my husband’s health will no longer bear the Oklahoma heat.

OKLAHOMA – I had the opportunity to participate in an interim study conducted by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat this past week about the potential to make permanent changes to the Open Meetings Act that would allow agencies, boards and commissions at the state and local level to hold public meetings virtually. There are many agencies, boards, commissions, etc. across our district that are subject to the Open Meetings Act. County Commission meetings, City council meetings, municipal boards, zoning boards, and school boards to name a few.

OKLAHOMA - The end of September has always proved to be a busy, happy, bittersweet time of year. The garden is playing out, meaning there is a lot to do putting up the bounty. Seeing those plants struggle to hang on one more day, finish producing one more tomato, is a reminder that we, too, should do our best and give our all every day.

OKLAHOMA The marathon of collecting an accurate state population count for the 2020 census is coming to a close, and it’s more important than ever that we encourage our family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to complete the questionnaire in a sprint to the finish line.

NATIONWIDE Oklahoma gas prices have fallen 2.5 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $1.85/g today, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 2,294 stations. Gas prices in Oklahoma are 1.3 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 42.7 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

CHEYENNE, OK – Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03), House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (MN-07), House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Mike Conaway (TX-11), and 23 other House colleagues sent a bipartisan letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue requesting funds in the CARES Act be provided to wheat growers of all wheat varieties to address price impacts from COVID-19.

OKLAHOMA - Just when you thought Oklahoma weather couldn’t do anything we haven’t seen, it decides to throw a little rain/snow/winter mix and the kitchen sink at us before the end of summer. Like it hasn’t been weird enough this year!

WASHINGTON D.C. - Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) released the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 8015- the Delivering for America Act. Lucas opposed the legislation.

OKLAHOMA - Students are headed back to the classroom or campus. Some, like Hinton, are already in the second week of classes. Others are moving into dorms or apartments, getting ready for the college fall term.

OKLAHOMA - Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) and House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) introduced a bill today that will help universities and research institutions protect COVID-19 research from cyberattacks by China and Russia.