11.20.24 – KOCO – OKLAHOMA CITY
Many of Oklahoma’s newly sworn-in legislators have a variety of issues they’ll be focusing on in the next session.
Many of the issues Oklahomans have seen before, including education and making the state more livable, are what is on the minds of the members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives that were sworn in on Wednesday.
“It’s gonna be a great session on how can we move Oklahoma forward, and make our state better for generations to come,” said Rep. Daniel Pae.
“As President Trump takes the White House here in a couple months and some initiatives that are happening there in Congress, see what we can do in Oklahoma to help support Trump’s agenda and continue to make Oklahoma better,” said House Speaker-elect Kyle Hilbert.
“One of the interesting nuances of going from a member of 101 members of the body, which I still am, but now serving as speaker, is really listening to the body and figuring out what direction does the chamber want to go,” Hilbert said.
Hilbert said in 2025 he wants to focus on education and the workforce, the state’s budget and inflation relief.
“Also seeing where we can strategically invest. We’re sitting on $5 billion on surplus as a state, so there are a lot of opportunities when you look at our state infrastructure system,” Hilbert said.
His proposals are also things other new members of the House want to find ways to draft.
“I know firsthand, after knocking on 13,000 doors in my district, that the burdens of inflation is front on people’s mind. So, I’m excited to move the needle forward on some policy work in that space,” said Rep. Emily Gise.
“What we can do is find areas of agreement and let’s go make a difference, go find a way to push this needle and make this state better,” Hilbert said.
The official first session of the legislature convenes on Feb. 3, 2025.