We’re now in the final month of the 2025 legislative session. We’re also in the most dangerous period for severe weather in Oklahoma. April’s flooding and tornadoes came with a heavy price, with seven deaths. I want to express my deepest condolences for those who’ve lost loved ones. I also want to say how grateful I am for our selfless emergency responders. Please continue to stay weather aware, as we’re still in the time of year when, in addition to flooding risks, we also see the most tornadoes.

These last few days and weeks have been extremely intense at the Capitol as Democrats have continued to speak out against Superintendent Ryan Walters’ politically charged social studies standards. Three different joint resolutions were filed to disapprove of these standards. We know he overrode recommendations made by educators and community leaders, and substituted standards written by out-of-state political hacks at the last minute. Religion should be taught in the home or the church, and these standards force schools to teach age-inappropriate material aimed at indoctrinating children with radical politics. Sadly, our Republican colleagues in the Senate refused to prevent these standards from taking effect. We’ll continue to monitor this situation, and I can promise we are going to be vigilant about what textbooks are used, including looking for conflicts of interest. We know that some of the political operatives behind these inappropriate learning standards stand to gain from this scheme, because their companies produce materials that align with these standards. Unfortunately, those currently in power have once again placed politics over Oklahoma’s children.

Positive things are happening in education too. This past week, a pro-education, pro-family bipartisan bill authored by one of our members, Senator Mark Mann, is on its way to the governor. The bill extends the maternity leave available to teachers to 12 weeks, allowing new parents more time to recover and bond with their babies. The state already provides six weeks of paid maternity leave for public school teachers, and Mann’s bill clarifies that teachers are allowed to use up to six weeks of sick leave in addition so they can stay home up to 12 weeks. This gives new families a healthier start, honors our educators and helps Oklahoma retain our best and brightest teachers.

I also participated in a meeting this week to review investments in health and human services that our state has made over the last few years through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. ARPA is the massive infusion of funding that Oklahoma received to help us recover from the COVID pandemic and build for the future. These investments are already improving well-being in our state. The most moving update was from Youth Services - organizations across Oklahoma that provide mental health care, job training and even shelter to some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities. These bipartisan investments are solving big problems. They are transforming lives and setting young people on the path to thriving futures.

Senate Democrats remain focused on solving problems by finding common ground and putting people over politics. We’re grateful for the input and feedback we’ve received from Oklahomans throughout our state who share that positive vision. Onward!