Wednesday, Feb. 18, was FFA day at the Capitol. Students from all across the state, wearing their traditional corduroy blue jackets with gold lettering swarmed the halls and filled the House gallery during our legislative session. It was a great day.
I got to meet with FFA chapters from Wilson, Dickson and Lone Grove in our House district.
FFA is so much more than agriculture education. It teaches students how to work hard with theirhandsandtheirbrains.Itgives them showmanship opportunities and helps them develop leadership skills, which carry over into careers and life. The current speaker of the House is a former FFA member. When addressing the students on Wednesday, he made sure to mention that he expects to see some of those in FFA take future seats at the Capitol.
Also during the week, I got to meet with Scouts who were recognized with a resolution from the House floor on Wednesday. Then on Thursday, students involved in Family, Career and Community LeadersofAmericavisitedtheCapitol wearing their red coats.
These are both excellent organizations as well, training our youth through a variety of programs that will help them in their future.
I always enjoy meeting with groups from my House district, particularly student groups as they represent the future of our great state.
Thursday Feb. 19 was the first committee deadline in the House. By this date, bills had to be advanced from initial policy committees or Appropriation and Budget subcommittees.
I passed House Bill 3886 in the Children Youth and Family Services Committee. This bill would provide that in case of immediate jeopardy with respect to a nursing home,asdeterminedbytheDepartment of Health, State Department of Health personnel shall remain onsite until a nursing home facility's plan of removal has been accepted. Thankfully, these occasions have proven to be rare, but we must attempt to protect the residents who live in these facilities. The bill now moves to the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee.
The next few weeks will be devoted to oversight committee meetings, and we'll begin to hear more bills presented on the House floor.
Also this week, the governor alongside legislative leaders announced OK250, a statewide initiative to help commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United StatesofAmerica.Throughcommunity events, educational programs, student activities and tourism experiences, Oklahoma will honor our nation’s founding while celebrating the people, history and spirit that define our state. More information about Oklahoma's celebration and national events can be found on the Department of Tourism's website: TravelOK.com - Oklahoma's Official Travel & Tourism Site.
Remember, if I can help you with anything, please do not hesitate to reach out: (405) 557-7383 or Josh. Cantrell@OKHouse.gov.
Josh Cantrell serves District 49 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Love County and parts of Carter and Marshall counties.