Sen. Roger Thompson was the sole legislator available to attend the Henryetta Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum held on March 4.
Sen. Roger Thompson was the sole legislator available to attend the Henryetta Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum held on March 4.
Thompson touched based on several issues including the impact the McGirt decision has on state residents and law enforcement agencies, increased mental health issues stemming from COVID as well as a new plan the OMMA has to become a stand-alone agency.
“I’m concerned about domestic violence for both natives and non-natives,” Thompson said. “Laws are not being enforced.”
He and other legislators are seeking more funding for mental health and drug treatment programs for residents across the state.
Thompson said that every major cartel in the United States is now operating out of Oklahoma.
“We are the capitol for marijuana that brings in the other drugs,” he said. “When residents passed State Questions 780 and 781, it was as close to recreational use as you will ever find. Residents thought they were voting only on marijuana but that wasn’t the case.”
Legislators plan to tighten up on medical marijuana laws and regulations.
“We are going after cartels and major players to get rid of them,” Thompson said.
Frustrations were also discussed within education.
“Since the pandemic began, schools have not had a full year of teaching,” Thompson said. “You want to talk about it and so do I.”
Oklahoma’s 2022 Legislative Session began in February and will continue through May.
For more information on bills and legislative session updates, visit oklegislature.gov.
The next Henryetta Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum will be held on Friday, April 1 at 12 p.m. at Shoney’s Restaurant.
