One of the things I will remember most fondly about my time serving House District 33 is the people I’ve connected with.
While I hosted numerous HD33 residents, students, teachers and professionals at the State Capitol throughout the last six years, I also worked closely with some constituents on legislation.
Every year, many bills are filed as a result of a constituent contacting their elected official about an issue. This is how our democratic process is designed to work, but nobody inside the State Capitol can get anything done alone.
It takes a minimum of 51 votes in the House and 25 votes in the Senate to put a bill on the governor’s desk, who still has to sign it. Additionally, many legislative staffers play a part in writing, filing, amending and moving bills through the process.
Whenever you hear a politician say, “I did this,” remember it takes an entire team to make anything happen.
Here are some accomplishments I’m proud to have played a part in:
- Helping the City of Yale pay off a $4 million gas bill from the 2021 winter storm, which saved each resident from owing $24,000
- Upgrading the sewage system in Ripley
- Upgrading Highways 18, 33, 51 and the new two-lane from Coyle to Perkins
- Establishing a bike route along nearly 400 miles of Route 66
- Securing $189 million for the OSU Vet School and $80 million for a new science laboratory at OSU
- Putting up blinking stop signs at several intersections on Western south of Stillwater to prevent traffic accidents
Sometimes you work on an issue only to realize it has to be solved at another level of government. A few years ago, I was trying to address the problem of drones flying over the tank farms in Cushing. I spent a couple of years pulling together stakeholders and experts and even drafting legislation only to realize we had to wait on a federal agency to do its job.
Sometimes you work on an issue and discover government is not even the answer. Early on, a constituent reached out to me about problems caused by the little flags left behind by utility companies when they mark their lines. I looked into some potential solutions and decided trying to solve it with legislation would only create more problems.
Unfortunately, sometimes you have to work on an issue for a long time before finding the right solution. I am saddened to leave behind a few things I did not get across the finish line.
Dept. of Human Services (DHS) reform and supporting the childcare industry were two areas I worked on extensively over the years that still need more attention. Another issue is abandoned pipelines left behind by out-of-business companies. As they become exposed to the elements, these pipelines create a hazard and can ruin farmland across the state, but there’s currently no legislative solution to address this problem.
Many of you have asked what I will be doing after leaving office. I will still be working locally to help improve our community and state. I will continue to live in Stillwater and work with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, visiting schools and investing in our kids. If you want to contact me in the future, please feel free to call or text my cell phone at (405) 742-8040.
The Bible directs us in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 to pray for our leaders. Having served in government for several years, I know how much our leaders need prayer every day. I encourage you to pray for all elected leaders, the new and the experienced.
Your new state representative, Molly Jenkins, will be sworn into office Nov. 20. After that, you can contact her at molly.jenkins@okhouse.gov.
Representing House District 33 at the State Capitol has been the honor of a lifetime, and I thank you for that.
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