>>> A STATE ACCOSTOMED TO WILD WEATHER, STRUGGLES TO DEAL WITH ROLLING BLACKOUTS AND LIFE-THREATENING CONDITIONS.

>> THESE SLIPS AND FALLS WEREN'T JUST PEOPLE WITH BUSTED PRIDE, A LITTLE BRUISE, THEY WERE PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE BROKEN BONES, BECAUSE OF HOW HARD THEY FELL.

>> WE GATHER LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TOGETHER IN A ZOOM ROOM FOR AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION OF THE 58TH SESSION.

>> THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY WAS TO GET OPEN MEETINGS WHERE PEOPLE COULD STILL MEET SAFELY AND GET THE BUSINESS OF THE PEOPLE DONE.

>> THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS, UH, IS THE COVID PANDEMIC.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY'S INNOVATION DISTRICT ASPIRES TO DIVERSIFY OUR STATE'S ECONOMY AND REVITALIZE LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> THAT ECOSYSTEM AROUND THAT CREATES NEW BUSINESSES, NEW PATENTS, NEW JOBS.

AND IT REALLY MAKES US COMPETITIVE IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY.

>> POPCORN READY?

FRIENDS AND FAMILY REFLECT ON THE REMARKABLE CAREER OF OETA ICON, B.J.

WEXLER.

>> I SAID, BRUCE, UH, WOULD YOU LIKE SOME POPCORN?

BROKE OUT AGAIN, HE WAS VERY, HE WAS JUST LAUGHING LIKE CRAZY.

THAT'S THE LAST TIME I SPOKE TO HIM.

>> HELLO EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

I'M RICH LENZ.

BACK-TO-BACK WINTER STORMS, DUMPING DOUBLE-DIGIT INCHES IN SNOW AND WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES DOUBLE-DIGITS BELOW ZERO.

THE RESULT?

PIPES BURSTING ABOVE AND BELOW THE GROUND AND ROLLING BLACKOUTS DUE TO STRESS ON OUR ENERGY GRID.

THAT'S A NEW ONE FOR OKLAHOMA, AND IT WAS JUST ONE OF MANY FACTORS MAKING LIFE BOTH DIFFICULT AND AT TIMES DEADLY FOR PEOPLE AND ANIMALS.

THE GOOD NEWS, THINGS ARE FINALLY STARTING TO GET BETTER.

WE HAVE TEAM COVERAGE OF MOTHER NATURE'S WINTER WALLOP, BEGINNING WITH O.N.R.

'S STEVE SHAW.

>> THE FIRST OMINOUS SIGN CAME WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 10TH, WHEN GOVERNOR STITT SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER SUSPENDING CERTAIN REGULATIONS FOR TRUCK DRIVERS TRANSPORTING PROPANE FOR 30 DAYS.

ON FRIDAY THE 12TH, THE GOVERNOR DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY ACROSS ALL 77 COUNTIES.

THE INITIAL ONSLAUGHT STARTED EARLY SUNDAY.

THE FIRST WAVE ENDED LATER THAT DAY, LEAVING MUCH OF THE STATE WITH SNOWFALL TOTALS SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE.

BUT THIS WAS ABOUT MORE THAN SNOW, MIND-NUMBINGLY CRUEL TEMPERATURES PLUNGED THE STATE INTO A DEEP FREEZE NOT SEEN IN OUR LIFETIME.

>> SINCE LAST MONDAY THE 8TH WE HAVE HAD OVER 840 WEATHER RELATED EMERGENCIES IN TULSA ALONE.

>> ADAM PALUKA REPRESENTS EMSA, THE AMBULANCE SERVICE PROVIDER FOR TULSA AND OKLAHOMA CITY.

TUESDAY, JUST HOURS BEFORE THE STATE WAS HAMMERED BY A SECOND WAVE OF HEAVY SNOW, HE TALKED ABOUT WHAT EMSA CREWS HAD SEEN SO FAR.

>> THE MAJORITY OF CALLS WE SAW EARLY ON LAST WEEK WERE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS, AND THEN A LOT OF SLIPS AND FALLS ON THE ICE.

AND THESE SLIPS AND FALLS WEREN'T JUST PEOPLE WITH BUSTED PRIDE, A LITTLE BRUISE, THEY WERE PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE BROKEN BONES, BECAUSE OF HOW HARD THEY FELL.

>> AS THE WEEK PROGRESSED, HE SAYS EMSA RECEIVED STARTLING NUMBERS OF EXPOSURE TO THE COLD, AND CARBON MONOXIDE CALLS.

>> FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE AT EMSA, WE KNOW HOW DIFFICULT THIS PROLONGED WINTER WEATHER EVENTS ARE.

WE KNOW PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR HEATING BILLS, PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT KEEPING THEMSELVES AND THEIR HOUSE WARM.

ANYTIME YOU USE UNCONVENTIONAL DEVICES TO HEAT YOUR HOME, WHETHER IT IS YOUR STOVE, YOUR OVEN HEATING YOUR HOUSE BY TURNING YOUR CAR ON IN THE GARAGE, AND OPENING THE DOOR, YOU'RE REALLY LEAVING YOURSELF VULNERABLE TO CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE DEADLIEST, THAT IS A VERY DEADLY POSSIBILITY IF YOU DO THAT.

>> YOU CAN'T SMELL IT.

NO, TASTELESS, ODORLESS.

BECAUSE OF AN UNPRECEDENTED DEMAND FOR ENERGY, THE SOUTHWEST POWER POOL, THE ORGANIZATION THAT GOVERNS WHERE POWER GOES THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHWEST, HAD TO INSTITUTE TEMPORARY ONE AND TWO HOUR POWER BLACKOUTS ACROSS OKLAHOMA.

BECAUSE OF THOSE THOSE BLACKOUTS, THERE WAS A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN 9-1-1 CALLS.

>> WE WERE NOT EXPECTING THE VOLUME OF FOLKS WHO RELY ON SOME SORT OF ELECTRICALLY POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE OR REFRIGERATION FOR MEDICINE TO CALL US, BECAUSE THEIR POWER WENT OUT.

AND ONE OF OUR FIRST QUESTIONS IS WE UNDERSTAND YOUR POWER WENT OUT, ARE YOU SUFFERING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY?

AND THE MAJORITY OF THOSE FOLKS SAID NO THEY WEREN'T, THEY WERE JUST WORRIED ABOUT THE POWER GOING OUT.

AND WE REALLY NEED TO KEEP THOSE 911 LINES OPEN SO FOLKS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY OR A MEMBER OF THEIR FAMILY IS, THEY CAN CALL US AND WE CAN RESPOND AS QUICKLY AND SAFELY AS POSSIBLE.

>> TUESDAY NIGHT THE CITY OF TULSA ANNOUNCED THEY WERE WORKING ON AT LEAST 120 WATERLINE BREAKS DUE TO THE FREEZE.

IN OKLAHOMA CITY, THE CITY MANAGER SAID STREET CREWS HAD BEEN WORKING 12 HOUR SHIFTS AROUND THE CLOCK FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

>> WE'RE WORKING AS FAST AS WE CAN AS HARD AS WE CAN TO GET SERVICES RESTORED OR TO RESTORE ROADS TO DO WHAT WE CAN.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE OUT THERE WORKING IN THIS BITTER WEATHER, WHETHER IT'S SOMEONE RESPONDING TO AN EMERGENCY OR A FIRE OR SOMEONE TAKING CARE OF YOUR WATER SERVICE OR CLEARING THE ROAD OR DRIVING A BUS.

>> EDMOND DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF CHRIS DENTON SAYS THEIR CREWS ARE RESPONDING TO A LOT OF BROKEN WATER PIPE CALLS TOO.

>> WOW, THIS IS A TOUGH TIME WE ARE IN RIGHT NOW.

SO I WOULD JUST SAY MAKE SURE YOU HAVE LAYERS READY, MAKE SURE YOU GOT THOSE THINGS INSIDE YOUR HOUSE TO RUN A LITTLE BIT OF WATER TO STORE IT, JUST IN CASE YOUR PIPES BURST OUTSIDE AND YOUR WATER IS OFF.

YOU HAVE AT LEAST SOMETHING THERE.

FRIGID TEMPERATURES ALSO REPRESENT A POTENTIAL DEATH SENTENCE FOR THE HOMELESS POPULATION.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE FOR CAPACITY TONIGHT.

BUT WE HAVE THE STAFF TO PREPARE FOR IT.

WE'VE GOT ENOUGH CLOSE TO 120 EXTRA BEDS.

BUT RIGHT NOW THOUGH WHEN IT COMES TO CAMPS WE'RE NOT FINDING OUR OUTREACH, PEOPLE AREN'T FINDING A LOT WHO NEED TO COME INDOORS.

THE PEOPLE WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO IT'S HIT OR MISS.

THE CAN'T MAKE THEM COME IN.

THEY TELL THEM WHERE THEY NEED TO GET, SOME THEY BRING TO A LOCATION LATE AT NIGHT.

SOMETIMES THEY DO SOMETIMES THEY DON'T.

IT WOULD APPEAR LAST NIGHT THEY HAD MORE LUCK THAN USUAL.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY BATTALION CHIEF BENNY FULKERSON HAS A WARNING FOR ANYONE WHO THINKS ABOUT VENTURING OUT ON THE ICE.

>> THAT'S SOMETHING THAT COULD TURN REALLY BAD REALLY QUICKLY.

WE'RE HERE TO HELP BUT DON'T MAKE US GET IN THAT WATER.

STAY OFF THE ICE.

IT'S NOT SAFE TO DO THAT.

THE ONLY OTHER THING I WANT TO MENTION IS WE'VE HAD FOUR FIRES IN THE PAST FEW DAYS THAT INVOLVED SPACE HEATERS UNDER HOUSES TO KEEP PIPES WARM.

YOU HAVE TO BE AWARE OF ALL OF YOUR HEATING EQUIPMENT AT ALL TIMES, NOT JUST IN YOUR HOUSE, BUT WHEN YOU TRY TO BE CREATIVE TO KEEP YOUR PIPES WARM.

THAT'S SOMETHING TO BE AWARE OF, IT COULD CAUSE YOUR WHOLE HOUSE TO BE ON FIRE VERY QUICKLY.

STEVE SHAW, THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>> OKLAHOMA HAS BEEN A TOP TEN STATE IN THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE RECEIVING COVID-19 VACCINES.

BUT WITH PEOPLE SNOWBOUND THIS WEEK, THAT WAS BOUND TO CHANGE.

HOW MUCH?

AND WHAT OTHER WAYS HAS THIS HISTORICALLY COLD WEATHER IMPACTED THE VACCINATION PROGRAM?

RORY TAYLOR CONTINUES OUR TEAM COVERAGE.

>> OKLAHOMA ADMINISTERED OVER 126,000 DOSES OF COVID-19 VACCINE LAST WEEK, THIS WEEK, LESS THAN HALF THAT, JUST 60,000, AS THE FREEZE INHIBITED VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.

>> OUR TEAM IS WORKING INCREDIBLY HARD TO AVOID ANY SIGNIFICANT VACCINE WASTE.

OUR TEAM PREPARED IN ADVANCE FOR THE CHALLENGES THE WEATHER MIGHT BRING.

AND WE HAVE SEVERAL PROCEDURES IN PLACE TO MANAGE OUR DOSES.

WE HAVE TEMPERATURE MONITORING SYSTEMS AND BACKUP GENERATORS IN MOST FACILITIES, HOUSING VACCINE ACROSS THE TAPE, ACROSS THE STATE.

>> WHILE VACCINE WASTE WAS AVOIDED, THE CANCELLING OF DISTRIBUTION CLINICS AND DELAY OF DELIVERY HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT.

>> OUR OVERALL VACCINE SUPPLY HAS NOT BEEN IMPACTED BY THE WEATHER, BUT THE TIMELINE FOR RECEIPT AND DISTRIBUTION HAS BEEN AFFECTED.

WE WERE EXPECTING VACCINE ALLOCATIONS OF APPROXIMATELY 110,000 DOSES FOR THIS WEEK.

THOSE DOSES WOULD NORMALLY ARRIVE DURING THE FIRST TWO TO THREE DAYS OF THE WEEK.

HOWEVER, WITH WEATHER OBSTACLES, WE HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED THAT VACCINE.

>> THE REST OF THOSE DOSES WILL BE DELIVERED THIS WEEKEND.

THE STATE STILL HAS DOSES AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION CLINICS, THOUGH, AFTER MANY FROM THE LAST WEEK HAVE BEEN POSTPONED.

THE TULSA HEALTH DEPARTMENT PUSHED THEIR PODS STARTING LAST WEDNESDAY INTO NEXT WEEK.

THEY'RE NOW ACTIVELY REACHING OUT TO PEOPLE WHO'S APPOINTMENTS WERE POSTPONED.

OKLAHOMA CITY IS RESPONDING IN A SIMILAR FASHION.

>> FOR OKLAHOMA CITY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WE'VE RESCHEDULED PROBABLY MORE THAN 2000 APPOINTMENTS, BUT -- AND WE PUSHED THOSE BACK A WEEK.

AND SO WE'VE -- AS WE'VE ENCOURAGED PEOPLE WHO WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE WEATHER, YOU KNOW, THAT MIGHT BE CANCELING THEIR APPOINTMENT.

WE TOLD THEM NO, IF YOU STICK IT OUT, WE WILL RESCHEDULE THE WHOLE THING.

>> TO COVER LOST GROUND, VACCINE DISTRIBUTION IS EXPECTED TO BOOM, AS ROUGHLY TWO WEEKS' SHIPMENTS OF VACCINE ARRIVE CLOSE TOGETHER, EVEN MORE SO AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RAMPS UP THE SUPPLY OF VACCINE BEING SHIPPED TO OKLAHOMA.

>> WE'RE INCREASING THE VACCINE SUPPLY TO 13.5 MILLION DOSES PER WEEK.

UH, THAT WILL GO OUT TO STATES.

THIS IS A 57% INCREASE FROM THE AMOUNT STATES RECEIVED WHEN THE PRESIDENT WAS INAUGURATED.

SO SINCE THEN, OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE ANNOUNCED A COUPLE OF INCREASES OVER THE COURSE OF TIME.

WE'RE ALSO ANNOUNCING THAT WE'RE DOUBLING THE SUPPLY TO OUR PHARMACY PROGRAM.

>> THIS COMING JUST IN TIME FOR OKLAHOMA TO EXPAND DISTRIBUTION >> WE'RE EXPECTING TO RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL 25% OF SUPPLY FROM PFIZER.

AS WE BEGAN VACCINATING TEACHERS AND ADULTS WITH COMORBIDITIES NEXT WEEK, THIS WILL MAKE FOR A TOTAL ANTICIPATED 137,000 DOSES NEXT WEEK.

THIS INCLUDES BOTH PFIZER AND MODERNA VACCINE AND ACCOUNTS FOR BOTH PRIME AND BOOST DOSES.

IF YOU LOOK AT OUR NUMBERS OVER THIS PAST WEEK, WE'VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO BURN THROUGH THE VACCINE LIKE WE WANT TO.

HOWEVER, UM, I REALLY AM NOT WORRIED ABOUT OUR ABILITY TO CATCH UP WITH THAT WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK, TWO WEEKS AT MOST PROBABLY, I THINK YOU'LL FIND MOST OF THAT ARE HAPPENING WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK.

>> ANOTHER CONCERN THE STATE IS WORKING HARD TO ADDRESS, EQUITY.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS ADDED NEW SPANISH LANGUAGE OPTIONS TO THEIR PORTAL, AND OKLAHOMA CITY IS WORKING WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS AND EVEN RADIO STATIONS TO REACH OUT ACROSS LANGUAGE BARRIERS >> WE HAD A GREAT POD SCHEDULED FOR LAST SATURDAY, DOWN AT GRANT HIGH SCHOOL AND WE WORKED, WE HAD REACHED OUT TO, UH, WE'VE WORKED WITH, WE HAD WORKED WITH, UH, THE GUATA, WHY DON'T WE WORK WITH THE GUATEMALA CONSULATE AND THE MEXICAN CONSULATE TO HELP WITH OUTREACH ON THAT SIDE.

AND WE HAD A COUPLE OTHER PARTNERS THAT WE WERE WORKING WITH TO HELP WITH OUTREACH, ONE OF THE SPANISH RADIO STATIONS AND THEN A FOURTH PARTNER.

>> THAT POD HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK TO FEBRUARY 22ND, BUT REGISTRATION FOR THE EVENT SUGGESTS MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL HESITANT TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE.

>> WE STILL KNOW THAT WE NEED TO SPEND A LOT MORE TIME, UH, EMPHASIZING THE SAFETY OF THE VACCINE.

SO WE'VE -- WE'VE RECRUITED A MESSAGE LAST WEEK WITH THE CONSULATE OF, UH, PERU, MEXICO, AND GUATEMALA, THAT'S GOING TO HAVE, THEY ALL CAME INTO OUR OFFICE AND TALKED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VACCINE.

AND, UM, AND THEN WE'RE GONNA DO SOME MORE MESSAGING IN REGARDS TO THAT.

>> THOSE MESSAGES SHOULD BEGIN CIRCULATING ONLINE AND ON RADIO NEXT WEEK.

>> THE C.D.C.

SAYS THAT COVID DEATHS ARE A LAGGING INDICATOR, THE LAST NUMBER TO BEGIN TRENDING LOWER.

FOR SEVERAL WEEKS NOW WE'VE BEEN SEEING A DRAMATIC REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF NEW INFECTIONS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS DUE TO THE VIRUS.

BUT THE DEATH TOLL HAD REMAINED STUBBORNLY AND TRAGICALLY, TOO HIGH.

THIS WEEK'S 7-DAY TOTAL, 173.

LAST WEEK'S TOTAL, 249.

MORE THAN 10 LESS PER DAY.

AND THE GOOD NEWS CONTINUES.

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE SEPTEMBER, THE ROLLING AVERAGE OF NEWS CASES PER DAY, HAS FALLEN BELOW 1000, DOWN TO 932.

HOSPITALIZATIONS, NOW DOWN TO 728, 155 LESS THAN A WEEK AGO.

ALL EXCELLENT NEWS.

ALSO, THIS WEEK'S VACCINATION NUMBERS, 477,000 OKLAHOMANS HAVE RECEIVED THEIR FIRST DOSE OF VACCINE.

AND 204,000 HAVE RECEIVED THEIR BOOSTER SHOTS.

>> IT IS COMMON PRACTICE THAT WHEN A NEW ADMINISTRATION TAKES OVER IN WASHINGTON, U.S. DISTRICT ATTORNEYS EITHER OFFER OR ARE REQUESTED TO TURN IN THEIR RESIGNATIONS.

AND THE U.S.

ATTORNEYS IN BOTH OKLAHOMA AND TULSA HAVE DONE JUST THAT.

TIM DOWNING IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT AND TRENT SHORES IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT THEY INTEND TO LEAVE THEIR POSTS BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.

BOTH OF THEM WERE APPOINTED BY FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND SERVED WITH DISTINCTION.

THEIR PERMANENT REPLACEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN NAMED.

>> A GROUP OF MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS, LED BY THE OKLAHOMA STATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, IS SUING TO STOP THE STATE'S MEDICAID PROGRAM FROM CHANGING TO A MANAGED CARE MODEL.

THE OKLAHOMA HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY RECENTLY APPROVED MORE THAN $2-BILLION WORTH OF CONTRACTS WITH FOUR INSURANCE COMPANIES TO TAKE OVER MANAGEMENT OF MEDICAID PATIENTS.

THE LAWSUIT IS ASKING THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT TO THROW OUT THE CONTRACTS BECAUSE THE AGENCY DID NOT HAVE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO THEM.

>> THE INCLEMENT WEATHER CERTAINLY TAKING IT'S TOLL ON THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE FOR THE FIRST REGULAR SESSION OF THE 58TH LEGISLATURE.

THE SENATE DIDN'T CONVENE UNTIL THURSDAY, AND THERE WERE LIMITED MEETINGS IN THE HOUSE TO START THE WEEK.

DESPITE THAT, LAWMAKERS NOW KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY THEY CAN SPEND.

HERE'S JASON DOYLE AND E-CAPITOL NEWS DIRECTOR, SHAWN ASHLEY.

>> SHAWN, THE LEGISLATURE NOW KNOWS HOW MUCH IT CAN SPEND FOR THE NEXT STATE BUDGET.

HOW MUCH ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

>> SO IT'S A REALLY BIG NUMBER, $9.6 BILLION.

NOW THAT'S $1.2 BILLION OR 13.9% MORE THAN WHAT WAS ESTIMATED FOR TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS IN THE DECEMBER MEETING, ACCORDING TO THE OKLAHOMA TAX COMMISSION AND THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND ENTERPRISE SERVICES, IMPROVED ECONOMIC CONDITIONS.

WE'LL MAKE MORE MONEY AVAILABLE NEXT YEAR.

AND THERE WILL ALSO BE SOME ADDITIONAL CARRYOVER FROM THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR THAT PUSHES UP THAT NUMBER.

>> THE WINTER WEATHER HAS DELAYED SOME ACTION AT THE CAPITOL, OUR LEADERS, CONFIDENT BILLS CAN MAKE IT OUT OF COMMITTEE BY THE DEADLINE.

>> APPEARS THAT THEY ARE, THE SENATE TOOK OFF THREE DAYS IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH THE WINTER WEATHER IN THE HOUSE.

MORE OR LESS TOOK OFF A DAY AND A HALF.

NOW THE -- THE DEADLINE FOR BILLS TO BE HEARD IN A COMMITTEE OF THEIR CHAMBER OF ORIGIN IS COMING UP ON FEBRUARY 25TH.

SO THE SENATE DOUBLED UP ON ITS COMMITTEE MEETINGS ON THURSDAY, AND THEN ALSO MET ON FRIDAY.

>> AN OPEN TRANSFER BILL HAS MADE IT OUT OF THE HOUSE, COMMON EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

WHAT COULD IT MEAN FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS?

>> YES.

REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN BOLES, A REPUBLICAN FROM MARLOW, HAS THIS BILL AND HE SAID IT WOULD GIVE PARENTS MORE CHOICE.

IT WOULD INCREASE TRANSPARENCY IN THE TRANSFER PROCESS, AND IT WOULD ALSO CREATE INCREASED COMPETITION BETWEEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THE BILL ELIMINATES MANY OF THE STATEWIDE LIMITATIONS THAT EXIST ON TRANSFERS BETWEEN DISTRICTS AND REALLY ALLOWS LOCAL DISTRICTS TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN POLICIES THAT THEY WILL THEN PUBLISH.

AND THOSE POLICIES WILL BE AUDITED TO SEE IF THEY'RE BEING FOLLOWED.

UM, ONE OF THE CONCERNS RAISED IN THE COMMITTEE OF COURSE, IS FUNDING AND HOW THAT'S GOING TO WORK REPRESENTED A BOWL SET.

AND ANOTHER PIECE OF LEGISLATION WILL ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.

>> A COUPLE OF BILLS DEALING WITH VISITORS AT LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES ARE HEADING TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

>> YES.

ONE OF THOSE PIECES OF LEGISLATION WOULD ALLOW A RESIDENT OF A FACILITY TO DESIGNATE A COMPASSIONATE CARE REPRESENTATIVE.

AND THE OTHER WOULD ALLOW SOMEONE TO DESIGNATE A FAMILY MEMBER WHO WOULD BE PROVIDED IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO THE RESIDENT.

AND ESSENTIALLY WHENEVER THEY WANTED WITH CERTAIN LIMITATIONS, THE CONCERN OF COURSE BECOMES SITUATIONS LIKE WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH WHERE YOU HAVE A PANDEMIC AND STATE AND LOCAL LIMITATIONS COME INTO PLAY AS TO WHO CAN AND CANNOT ENTER THOSE FACILITIES.

THOSE WERE CONCERNS ADDRESSED IN THE COMMITTEE AND THAT THE AUTHORS OF THOSE BILLS LIKELY WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH AS THEY MOVE TO THE FLOOR.

>> SHAWN, AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>> ANOTHER PRIORITY FOR MANY STATE LEADERS IS THE PUSH TO DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMY.

TO GROW NEW INDUSTRIES AND CREATE WEALTH FOR A LARGER PERCENTAGE OF OUR POPULATION.

IN OKLAHOMA CITY, PLANS ARE TAKING SHAPE ON A PROJECT THAT WILL PRODUCE GOOD JOBS AND HELP CONNECT A STRUGGLING NEIGHBORHOOD WITH OTHER PARTS OF THE CITY.

JASON DOYLE HAS OUR REPORT.

>> THE PROJECT FOR THE OKLAHOMA CITY INNOVATION DISTRICT WOULD USE $71 MILLION FROM THE MAPS FOUR PROGRAM.

IT ISN'T A TYPICAL CAPITAL PROJECT LIKE A STADIUM OR CONVENTION CENTER.

INSTEAD IT AIMS TO GO BEYOND WHAT CURRENTLY EXISTS AS A BIO-MEDICAL RESEARCH PARK.

>> IT'S A PLACE THAT EMBRACES THE URBAN ATTRIBUTES OF DENSITY, PROXIMITY, AND ACCESSIBILITY.

IT'S A PLACE WHERE A MASHUP OF ECONOMIC STRENGTHS, PHYSICAL ASSETS AND AMENITIES, AND A ROW AND ROBUST SOCIAL NETWORKS, FOSTER AND OPEN COLLABORATIVE INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM.

>> THE INNOVATION DISTRICT PROJECT IS ACTUALLY FOUR PROJECTS IN ONE.

CREATION OF A COLLABORATIVE SPACE, IMPROVEMENTS TO A PUBLIC PARK, OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES AND CONNECTION TO A NEARBY NEIGHBORHOOD WITH THE DISTRICT AND THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

IT IS ALL EXPECTED TO CREATE GOOD PAYING JOBS.

THE CENTERPIECE MEANT TO ALLOW COMPANIES TO COLLABORATE IS CALLED THE INNOVATION HALL.

>> THAT'S A BUILDING THAT IS, UM, KIND OF LIKE THE PUBLIC HOUSE OF INNOVATION.

THERE ARE OTHER CITIES THAT HAVE SIMILAR FACILITIES THAT ARE KIND OF THE EPICENTER OF, UM, THEIR INNOVATION DISTRICTS, WHERE THERE'S RESEARCH AND ACADEMICS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BUSINESS KIND OF ALL CONCENTRATED IN ONE AREA.

>> PART OF THE PLAN TO HELP THE NEARBY NEIGHBORHOOD IS TO RENOVATE THE HISTORIC BOOKER T. WASHINGTON PARK.

>> SO THAT'S GOING TO BE AN EXCITING ADDITION TO, UM, WASHINGTON PARK AND RENOVATION, UM, TO A REALLY CENTRAL PART OF NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> A THIRD FACET OF THE INNOVATION DISTRICT WILL BE THE REPURPOSING OF THE HENRIETTA B.

FOSTER CENTER, A HISTORICAL NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA CITY BUILDING BUILT IN 1951.

>> AND WE HAVE PROPOSED REPURPOSING IT, UM, REDESIGNING IT TO ITS ORIGINAL ARCHITECTURE AND HAVING IT BE MODELED AFTER SOME OTHER EXAMPLES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES TO BE A SMALL BUSINESS MINORITY, SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER.

>> THE PROJECT WILL BE TIED TOGETHER BY CONNECTING THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO THE AREA ASSETS, ENCOURAGING MORE PEOPLE TO SPEND TIME THERE.

>> SO THAT PEOPLE CAN MAKE THEIR WAY FROM WASHINGTON PARK TO HENRIETTA B.

FOSTER TO THE INNOVATION HALL AND THE CENTER OF THE INNOVATION DISTRICT AND MOVE ABOUT, UM, THROUGH THE RESEARCH PARK AND, AND REALLY MAKE IT MORE WALKABLE AND FRIENDLY TO PEOPLE.

>> CIVIC LEADERS WANTED TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING RESEARCH PARK, SO THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTE WAS ENGAGED TO STUDY THE MATTER FOR OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> SO THEY HELPED US COME UP WITH THE STRATEGY AND THE PLAN AND THE STEPS BEHIND THE CREATION OF AN INNOVATION DISTRICT.

SO WE DID A LOT OF, UH, TRAVELING.

WE WENT TO OTHER CITIES THAT HAD INNOVATION DISTRICTS.

WE LOOKED AT WHAT THEIR SORT OF BEST PRACTICES WERE IN WHAT WAS GOING ON.

>> GOOD PAYING JOBS ARE EXPECTED TO GROW OUT OF THE PROJECT, IN HOPES THAT WORKERS WHO LIVE NEARBY WILL BENEFIT.

>> THE MAJORITY OF JOBS THAT WILL BE CREATED DON'T REQUIRE FOUR YEAR DEGREES.

SO IT IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE A, UM, A REALLY BIG OPPORTUNITY AND SURGE AND WORKFORCE DEMAND.

A LOT OF, UH, JOBS CREATED OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

>> SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON TOO, IS, IS FILLING GAPS AND -- AND TRYING TO BRING NEWER RESOURCES TO OKLAHOMA CITY THAT DON'T CURRENTLY EXIST SO THAT THE INNOVATION DISTRICT HAS EVEN A BETTER CHANCE OF BEING SUCCESSFUL.

>> THOSE JOBS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AN AREA WHICH HAS BEEN SKIPPED BY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE PAST.

>> WHEN WE HAVE THESE JOBS THAT ARE CREATED AND THE, UM, THE ADVANCEMENTS IN OUR ECONOMY AROUND THE INNOVATION DISTRICT, THAT NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA CITY IS POISED THE NEIGHBORHOODS AROUND THE BUSINESSES AROUND NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA CITY ARE POISED TO BE IMMEDIATELY CONNECTED INTO, UM, THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

>> THE GOAL IS TO SERVE AS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENGINE WHICH RAISES THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND IMPROVES OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS.

>> WE ALSO KNEW THAT WE COULD CREATE A STRATEGY THAT PROVIDES FOR INCLUSIVE GROWTH CONNECTING RESIDENTS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA WITH JOBS AND TRAINING, CONNECTING AREA BUSINESSES AND INSTITUTIONS AND PRESERVING AND IMPROVING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> THAT ECOSYSTEM AROUND THAT CREATES NEW BUSINESSES, NEW PATENTS, NEW JOBS.

AND IT REALLY MAKES US COMPETITIVE IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY.

>> JASON DOYLE, THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>> WHILE THE TIMELINE FOR THE INNOVATION DISTRICT PROJECTS TO BEGIN HAS NOT BEEN SET, IT HAS ALREADY ATTRACTED A PRIVATE DEVELOPER TO BUILD A 400,000 SQUARE FOOT COMPLEX NEARBY, WHICH BEGINS CONSTRUCTION LATE THIS YEAR.

>> WE TOLD YOU LAST WEEK ABOUT THE UNFORTUNATE PASSING OF LONGTIME O.E.T.A.

HOST, B.J.

WEXLER AT THE AGE OF 83.

AND THIS WEEK WE WANTED TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FINE GENTLEMAN WHO CAME INTO YOUR LIVING ROOMS FOR THREE DECADES, PREPARED AS ALWAYS WITH HOT POPCORN, A GREAT MOVIE, AND A WARM, WELCOMING SMILE.

>> LET'S TURN THE POPCORN MACHINE OFF AND OFFICIALLY SAY B.J.

WEXLER WAS BORN AND RAISED IN THE HARDWORKING CITY OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

ONE OF FOUR WEXLER BOYS.

THE YOUNGEST, DICK WEXLER, STILL LIVES THERE.

HE WAS THE BEST MAN IN BJ'S WEDDING, AND BRUCE, THE BEST MAN IN HIS.

>> YOU KNEW HIM AS B.J.

WEXLER.

WE KNEW HIM AS BRUCE.

SO IT WAS BRUCE WEXLER.

>> WE HAD A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP.

GROWING UP, WE HAD A SMALL TV IN THE HOUSE AND HE SAID TO ME, YOU'RE WATCHING TOO MUCH TV.

I SAID, WELL, I ENJOY IT.

HE SAID YOU'RE WATCHING TOO MUCH TV.

SO HE WENT AROUND THE TV, OPENED THE BACK AND TOOK OUT A TUBE.

THE OLD DAYS THEY HAD TUBES.

I SAID, WHAT ARE YOU HAVE PRODUCERS LOVE THING.

HE ENDED UP BEING A TV.

SO IT'S MAYBE STARTED THEN.

>> THE WEXLERS HAVE A LONG-STANDING FAMILY TRADITION.

BEFORE EVERY MEAL, THEIR MOTHER WOULD GATHER THEM TOGETHER AT THE DINNER TABLE AND SAY, GOOD EVENING FAMILY.

>> HE WOULD ANSWER THE PHONE WITH HIS RADIO VOICE, HIS TV VOICE.

>> HELLO.

AND, UH, I WOULD ALWAYS SAY TO HIM, GOOD EVENING FAMILY.

AND ON HIS END, HE WOULD SAY TO ME, GOOD EVENING FAMILY.

>> DICK'S LAST LENGTHY CONVERSATION WITH HIS BROTHER TOOK PLACE IN DECEMBER, THE MONTH AFTER B.J.

WAS FIRST ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL.

HIS HEALTH CONTINUED TO DETERIORATE IN THE NEW YEAR, AND HE PASSED AWAY ON FEBRUARY 10TH.

>> WE JUST COULDN'T SAY GOODBYE TO EACH OTHER.

AND HE FINALLY SAID GOODBYE.

AND I SAID, BRUCE, UH, WOULD YOU LIKE SOME POPCORN?

JUST BROKE OUT AGAIN, HE WAS JUST LAUGHING LIKE CRAZY.

THAT'S THE LAST TIME I SPOKE TO HIM.

>> IT'S BEEN MY HONOR TO BE YOUR MOVIE CLUB HOST.

AND MY FINAL WORDS ARE THANKS FOR BEING HERE AND I'LL SEE YOU AT THE MOVIES.

>> WHEN B.J.

FINALLY STEPPED AWAY FROM THE PROGRAM HE HAD BUILT INTO AN O.E.T.A.

TRADITION IN 2018, HIS COLLEAGUE ROBERT BURCH ASSUMED THE HOSTING DUTIES.

>> THERE WAS ONLY ONE B.J.

AND I COULDN'T REALLY, UH, EVER DO AN IMITATION OF HIM.

THEN WHEN WE HAD THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY, THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY B.J.

CAME BACK IN AND, UM, UH, WE SORT OF HAD THE, UH, THE PASSING OF THE TORCH.

UM, HE, HE LEANED OVER AT ONE POINT AND SAID, YOU KNOW, I LIKE -- I LIKE WHAT YOU'VE DONE.

>> IT HAS BEEN A SEAMLESS TRANSITION BECAUSE BURCH UNDERSTANDS WHAT HAS MADE THE SHOW SUCCESSFUL SINCE ITS DEBUT IN 1988.

GREAT MOVIES, NO COMMERICIALS, AND A GREAT HOST.

>> FOR MOST BJ'S TENURE, THESE WERE, YOU KNOW, LOTS OF OLD CLASSIC FILMS, BLACK AND WHITE, 1930'S, 1940'S, AND THE NETWORK CHANNELS WERE NOT REALLY SHOWING THESE OLD FILMS ANYMORE.

AND THERE WAS A REAL, UH, THIRST OUT THERE, I THINK FOR THAT.

>> B.J.

WEXLER LOVED MANY THINGS.

AMONG THEM, MOVIES, POPCORN, HIS WIFE ANN AND THEIR BORDER COLLIE, JACK, THOUGH NOT IN THAT ORDER.

>> DOES HE REALLY LIKE POPCORN, AND IS THE POPCORN REAL THAT HE HAS DURING THE MOVIE CLUB?

YOU'LL BE HAPPY TO KNOW THAT THE ANSWER TO BOTH QUESTIONS IS YES.

CONGRATULATIONS, HONEY!

>> HE BUILT AN AUDIENCE FOR 30 YEARS, UM, UH, BUILT A RELATIONSHIP WITH PEOPLE OVER 30 YEARS, AND WE STILL GET LETTERS AND CALLS FROM PEOPLE THAT, UM, THAT WERE THERE FROM THE BEGINNING.

>> TALK ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIPS AND HOW HE REACTED TO CAMERA OPERATORS OR, OR AUDIO OPERATORS, OR JUST PEOPLE HE MET IN THE HALLWAYS OF OETA?

>> EVERYBODY AT THE STATION AND EVERYBODY THAT WORKED WITH B.J., UM, WAS BETTER FOR IT.

>> HE WAS VERY EASY TO TALK TO.

IT WAS LIKE A LONG LOST FRIEND AND HE TREATED EVERYONE SO SPECIAL.

HE HAD A GENERIC NAME.

HE WOULD CALL EVERYONE, EVEN ME, HE WOULD SAY, HELLO, DR. PERRY, EVERYBODY GOT A DOCTORATE FROM B.J.

SOMEHOW.

>> HALL OF FAME BROADCASTER BILL PERRY WORKED CLOSELY WITH B.J.

ON OETA PLEDGE DRIVES.

>> WHEN I SAW THE LIST OF TALENT AND SAW THAT B.J.

WAS THERE, I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> I'M SURE JUST HIS VERY PRESENCE AND HIS WARM PERSONALITY THAT HE SENT OUT OVER THE AIR, ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO SUPPORT OETA FINANCIALLY.

>> WE HAVE THIS LITTLE SECTION IN THE HALL WHERE PEOPLE WOULD, UH, STOP AND CONGREGATE AND WHEN B.J.

RETIRED, UH, THEY OFFICIALLY NAMED THAT LITTLE ALCOVE WHERE PEOPLE STOP AND TALK "THE WEXLER."

>> THESE HALLWAYS BECAME HIS HOME, A DECISION HE MADE FOLLOWING A SUCCESSFUL START BACK IN UPSTATE NEW YORK.

>> HE HAD A GREAT CAREER ACTUALLY IN BUFFALO TELEVISION FOR A WHILE THERE, BEFORE COMING TO OKLAHOMA, WHERE I GUESS HE FOUND A HOME.

>> WAIT A MINUTE.

IN HONOR OF MY BROTHER FOR THIS STORY, THE BILL'S HAT, SO AS THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR, AND HE RAN THE, UM, UH, THE BILL'S GAMES.

HE WAS THE PRODUCER OF THE BILLS GAMES.

>> HE FOUND A HOME IN OKLAHOMA AND JUST LOVED IT.

>> I KNOW HE USED TO DO A FUNDRAISING.

HE WAS MADE FOR THAT.

HE JUST ENJOYED IT AND ENJOYED THE FOLKS, ENJOYED THE FAMILY THAT HE HAD THERE.

THAT WAS HIS SECOND FAMILY, UH, OETA.

>> IT'S BEEN MY PRIVILEGE TO HOST THE MOVIE CLUB AND TO COME INTO YOUR LIVING ROOMS EACH WEEKEND AND SHARE THESE GREAT CLASSIC MOVIES WITH YOU, YOUR CHILDREN AND YOUR GRANDCHILDREN.

>> THE SATURDAY NIGHT "MOVIE CLUB" THIS WEEK?

GORILLAS IN THE MIST," STARRING SIGOURNEY WEAVER.

>> WITH THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION NOW FULLY ENGAGED, WE THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE THE RIGHT TIME TO GATHER LEADERS FROM BOTH PARTIES TOGETHER TO DISCUSS HOW THEIR PRIORITIES DIFFER.

AND WHERE THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIND COMMON GROUND AND AGREEMENT.

IT'S A BUSY TIME FOR LAWMAKERS, SO LET ME AT THE OUTSET, WE APPRECIATE THEIR TAKING TIME TO SPEAK WITH US.

HERE'S SUSAN CADOT WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE 58TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> THANK YOU, RICH.

YES, WE HAVE A DISTINGUISHED PANEL WITH US TODAY TO TALK ALL THINGS LEGISLATURE, AND I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE THEM TO YOU.

FIRST, WE HAVE PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE OKLAHOMA SENATE, SENATOR GREG TREAT.

WE HAVE THE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER REPRESENTATIVE JON ECHOLS.

WE HAVE THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER, SENATOR KAY FLOYD, AND ASSISTANT DEMOCRATIC MINORITY LEADER, REPRESENTATIVE FORREST BENNETT.

THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

LET'S START OFF JUST -- JUST KIND OF GETTING AN OVERALL PICTURE.

AND SENATOR TREAT WE'LL BEGIN WITH YOU, TOP THREE WISH LIST FOR THIS SESSION.

>> WELL, FIRST OFF, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY WAS TO GET OPEN MEETINGS WHERE PEOPLE COULD STILL MEET SAFELY AND GET THE BUSINESS OF THE PEOPLE DONE.

WE'RE ABLE TO DELIVER ON THAT.

THE GOVERNOR SIGNED IT.

THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT.

AND THEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO TO GET MORE BUSINESSES TO LOCATE HERE, BUSINESSES TO EXPAND, AND THEN TRYING TO MODERNIZE THE WAY WE DELIVER GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

AS YOU SAW WITH THE OKLAHOMA EMPLOYMENT SECURITIES COMMISSION, WE HAD SOME HICCUPS AND WE NEED TO MODERNIZE.

WE NEED TO GET BETTER IN OUR IT INFRASTRUCTURE, BETTER IN THE WAY WE HIRE AND FIRE PEOPLE.

AND SO, WE'RE GOING TO WORK ON ALL THOSE, BUT WE'LL BE ROLLING OUT OUR FULL CAUCUS AGENDA NEXT WEEK.

>> SENATOR FLOYD, HOW ABOUT YOU?

DOES ANY OF YOUR TOP THREE LISTS KIND OF OVERLAP THERE?

>> OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS, UH, IS THE COVID PANDEMIC THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH.

WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE GOT SUFFICIENT TESTING, ALL THE TESTING THAT WE NEED NOW THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS A NATIONWIDE ROLLOUT PLAN.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE VACCINES THAT WE NEED.

AND ONCE THEY'RE HERE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PEOPLE THAT NEED THE MOST, UM, YOU KNOW, AND OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, WHICH BY THE WAY, HAVE DONE A REMARKABLE, REMARKABLE JOB FOR THE LAST YEAR.

JUST UNBELIEVABLE JOB.

THAT'S A -- THAT'S OUR FIRST, UM, ALSO, GETTING THOSE VACCINES TO NURSING HOMES AND THOSE THAT ARE SHUT IN AND CAN'T GET OUT OF THEIR HOUSE TO RECEIVE THE VACCINES.

OUR SECOND PRIORITY IS GOING TO BE MEDICAID EXPANSION.

UM, MY CAUCUS WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT A LOT OF THE MEDICAID EXPANSION MOVING FORWARD WAS DONE BY THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH WHILE WE WERE OUT OF LEAD, WE WERE OUT OF SESSION.

UH, WE FEEL LIKE THAT, UH, MUTED OUR VOICE TO A CERTAIN EXTENT.

SO, WE'RE GOING TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THAT, TRY TO GET THE DIALOGUE STARTED AGAIN.

AND THEN THE THIRD THING IS, UH, AS IT ALWAYS IS EDUCATION AND MAKING SURE WE PROPERLY FUND OUR SCHOOLS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE ECHOLS, HOW ABOUT YOU?

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN RIGHT OFF THE BAT?

THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS IS GOING TO FOCUS ON A FEW THINGS THIS YEAR.

ONE OF THEM IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE RURAL BROADBAND SERVICE.

UH, THAT'S ALL PART OF AN OVERALL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN.

AND THAT'S WHERE I DO THINK THERE IS SOME OVERLAP WITH, UM, THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS OF THE SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

I LOVE WHEN I HEAR THEM TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD IN DIVERSIFYING OUR ECONOMY.

AND ONE OF THE PLANKS, THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS HAS TALKS ABOUT A LOT IS RURAL BROADBAND TO EXTENT THAT IS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOL.

THE OTHER THING THE HOUSE WILL BE FOCUSED ON IS EDUCATION AS WE ALWAYS HAVE, BUT YES, FUNDING, UH, THE -- THE -- WE WANTED TO HAVE ADDITIONAL FUNDING, BUT ALSO, REFORMS.

YOU'LL SEE US WANTING TO WORK WITH THE SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR TO PUSH THINGS LIKE OPEN TRANSFER, WHERE YOUR ZIP CODE DOESN'T DETERMINE WHERE YOUR CHILD SHOULD HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL.

THAT'S OVERWHELMINGLY POPULAR AND SOME MODERNIZATIONS OF THE FUNDING FORMULA.

SO, I THINK -- AND THEN OBVIOUSLY HEALTHCARE HAS GOT TO BE A BIG, UH, POINT FOR EVERYBODY.

WE HAVE MEDICAID EXPANSION OF -- CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA HAVE VOTED FOR IT.

THERE WAS NO FUNDING MECHANISM, UH, FUNDING HEALTHCARE PROPERLY, UH, IN A STABLE MANNER, UH, IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT IN THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

>> HERE WE GO.

WE'VE GOTTEN TO REPRESENTATIVE BENNETT.

AND AS WE LOOK FOR WHAT YOUR TOP THREE WISHES ARE, WHAT DO YOU THINK OKLAHOMANS SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR IN THIS SESSION?

>> I KNOW WHAT OKLAHOMANS ARE LOOKING FOR, AND THAT'S FOR US TO ADDRESS THE BIGGEST CRISIS IN FRONT OF US, WHICH IS COVID.

UM, AND YOU KNOW, THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS HAS FOR YEARS FILED LEGISLATION TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE AMONG US WHO ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE.

UM, AND WHILE COVID, UH, DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE, IT'S CLEAR THAT, UH, THE -- THE LAWS AND STATUTES THAT WE HAVE ON THE BOOKS HAVE, HAVE MADE IT A LOT WORSE FOR SOME THAN OTHERS.

AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ISSUES ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF.

HEALTHCARE IS ABSOLUTELY ONE OF THEM IN EDUCATION, MAKING SURE THAT KIDS CAN BE SAFE AT SCHOOL, WHICH REQUIRES THE COMMUNITY AROUND THAT SCHOOL TO BE SAFE.

UM, AND WE HAVE A VARIETY OF, OF, UH, BILLS THAT WE -- THAT WE LOOK FORWARD TO, UM, HAVING REPUBLICAN SUPPORT ON.

THEY'RE -- THEY'RE REASONABLE UPDATES THAT WILL MAKE LIFE A LITTLE BIT BETTER FOR PEOPLE.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT OKLAHOMA IS EXPECTING OF US.

I MEAN, MY CONSTITUENTS AND OTHERS ARE ASKING US WHAT WE'RE DOING ABOUT COVID AND WHAT WE'RE DOING TO MAKE THEM, MAKE THEM BETTER.

>> SO, LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW TO DEAL WITH COVID AND OUR CHILDREN, AND GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.

WHAT'S THE SITUATION RIGHT NOW?

ARE INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAKING THE DECISION OF WHETHER OR NOT TO HAVE IN-PERSON LEARNING?

AND AT THE STATE CAPITOL, IS THIS A PARTISAN OR BIPARTISAN ISSUE?

>> KIDS NEED TO BE IN THE CLASSROOM.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT MOORE HERE IN THE OKLAHOMA CITY, METRO, THEY HAVE NOT CANCELED SCHOOL.

THEIR RATES ARE NOT HIGHER THAN ANY OTHER DISTRICT.

MY KIDS GO TO DEER CREEK PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WHERE THEY'RE ON AN A/B SCHEDULE, WHERE THEY'RE MEETING IN PERSON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY.

UH, AND IT'S JUST NOT CONDUCIVE FOR REAL LEARNING.

UH, THIS YEAR IS GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR KIDS TO MEET THE STANDARDS AND TO MEET THE ACADEMIC, UH, ACHIEVEMENTS THAT WE WANT THEM TO.

THEY'RE DOING THE BEST.

WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE A PARTISAN ISSUE, UH, BUT WE NEED TO GET KIDS BACK IN THE CLASSROOM.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF ARE PROTECTED.

I'M GLAD THE IMMUNIZATION IS ROLLING, UH, TO THE TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF NOW THAT WE'RE ROLLING OUT OUR VACCINE IN OKLAHOMA, BETTER THAN MANY STATES IN THE UNION.

>> SENATOR FLOYD, WHAT SAY YOU?

>> SO, I THINK THAT, UH, IT'S, IT'S MORE REGIONAL THAN PARTISAN.

THE ISSUE IS BECAUSE WE'VE GOT RURAL AREAS THAT ARE TREATING IT ONE WAY, ANOTHER WAY, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S VERY COMPLICATED.

IT IS.

EVERYONE AGREES TO HAVING KIDS BACK IN THE CLASSROOM IS THE BEST WAY TO LEARN.

IT'S BEST FOR THE KIDS.

IT'S BEST FOR THE TEACHERS.

UM, AND FRANKLY, YOU KNOW, SECONDARILY, IT'S GOOD FOR BUSINESS, BECAUSE ALL THOSE PARENTS CAN GET BACK TO WORK.

BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT IT HAS TO BE SAFE OR WE'LL HAVE ANOTHER SPIKE, AND WE'VE SEEN THAT IN OTHER STATES.

SO, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE AND ADDRESS EVERY ISSUE, MAKE SURE THAT IT'S SAFE FOR THE KIDS TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL FULL TIME, MAKE SURE TEACHERS AND STAFF HAVE THE PROTECTIVE GEAR THEY NEED.

SO, WE NEED TO DO IT, BUT WE NEED TO DO IT RIGHT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE ECHOLS, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE VACCINATION DISTRIBUTION ACROSS THE STATE?

IS IT GOING WELL ENOUGH FOR YOUR TASTE?

>> WELL, IT'S NEVER GOING TO BE GOING WELL ENOUGH FOR MY TASTE UNTIL WE HAVE 70% VACCINATED.

UH, SO, THE ANSWER TO THAT.

NOW, WHAT DO I THINK ABOUT THE JOB THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA IS DOING?

OBJECTIVELY, THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA IS DOING A PHENOMENAL JOB IN VACCINATION.

WE'VE BEEN IN TOP 10 IN TOTAL VACCINATION RATES.

UM, I TALK ABOUT THIS ALMOST EVERY WEEK, THE VACCINATIONS.

I THINK WE'RE DOING A GOOD JOB.

HOWEVER, UH, IF WE WERE NUMBER ONE, I WOULD WANT US TO GO FASTER.

WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO GET TO THAT 70% NUMBER IN VACCINATIONS.

WE'VE GOT TO GET, I AGREE WITH WHAT THE PRO TEMP SAID TO, CHILDREN TO BELONG IN THE CLASSROOM AND PARENTS DESERVE TO BE ABLE TO GO TO SCHOOLS TO PUT THEIR CHILDREN IN THE CLASSROOM.

THAT'S WHY THINGS LIKE OPEN TRANSFER ARE SO IMPORTANT, AND IN A POLL I JUST GOT BACK INCREDIBLY WIDELY POPULAR RIGHT NOW.

UM, WE NEED TO GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS FOR THEIR KIDS.

AND THEN I DO AGREE WITH, HERE'S SOME BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT, I AGREE WITH LEADER FLOYD, THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE FULLY VACCINATE TEACHERS, UH, THAT ROLLOUT HAS GOTTA BE AGGRESSIVE.

I'M EXCITED, WE'VE STARTED AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SCHOOL, SURE, SCHOOLS HAVE THE PPE THAT THEY NEED.

BUT ANY EDUCATION, ANY EDUCATION DISCUSSION HAS TO START AND END WITH WHAT'S BEST FOR CHILDREN.

AND WHAT'S BEST FOR CHILDREN IS MAKING SURE PARENTS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEM IN PERSON SCHOOL, SOMEWHERE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BENNETT, WHAT ARE YOU SEEING IN YOUR AREA AND WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS REGARDING THE OVERALL RESPONSE TO COVID, BOTH EDUCATION AND VACCINATIONS?

>> WELL, I HAD AN INTERIM STUDY ON -- ON COVID IN THE -- IN THE SORT OF ECONOMIC IMPACT THAT HAS HAD ON, UM, ON OKLAHOMANS.

AND I ECHO SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT THAT LEADER FLOYD MENTIONED.

I MEAN, PEOPLE WANT THEIR KIDS TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL.

THEY WANT, UH, VACCINE, UH, DISTRIBUTION TO BE PRIORITIZED IN THE RIGHT WAY.

UM, YOU KNOW, ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW WE CAN MAKE SCHOOLS SAFER FOR KIDS IS MAKING SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY AROUND THEM, LIKE, LIKE I MENTIONED EARLIER, IS, UH, IS SAFE.

AND STUDIES SHOW THAT WHEN THERE IS SPREAD IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IT COMES FROM THE COMMUNITY AND NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

SO, THAT'S WHAT'S VERY FRUSTRATING.

I THINK FOR A LOT OF OKLAHOMANS, BOTH IN MY AREA AND ACROSS THE STATE, IT'S TRUE THAT IT'S REGIONAL.

BUT AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS, THE SPREAD WAS HAPPENING IN URBAN AREAS AS WELL.

RURAL AREAS WERE PRETTY SAFE.

NOW, IT'S RURAL AREAS WHERE IT'S RAMPANT AND THEY'RE COMING TO THE CITIES, UH, FOR -- FOR CARE.

SO, AT THIS POINT IT -- REALLY IS A STATEWIDE ISSUE AND WE WISH THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD TAKEN ACTION EARLIER ON THAT.

UM, BUT RIGHT NOW, WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS INCREDIBLE EFFORTS BY INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES TO CURB THIS SPREAD.

UM, AND I'M -- I'M IMPRESSED BY THAT, BUT I SURE WISH THAT THE STATE HAD DONE MORE EARLIER.

AND I WISH THAT WE WOULD DO MORE NOW, AND WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO DO SO.

SO, I HOPE WE DO.

>> I WANT TO MOVE ON TO MEDICAID EXPANSION.

SENATOR FLOYD, YOU BROUGHT THIS UP, SO I'LL START WITH YOU.

HOW DO WE FUND MEDICAID EXPANSION?

AND IS THE GOVERNANCE PLAN TO PRIVATIZE A POSSIBLE SOLUTION?

>> SO, MY CAUCUS HAS BEEN GREATLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE WAY MEDICAID EXPANSION IS MOVING FORWARD.

AND MAINLY BECAUSE, UH, IT WAS A, IT WAS A TIGHT VOTE.

EVERYBODY ON THIS CALL, EVERYBODY WATCHING THIS KNOWS THAT IT WAS A TIE VOTE FOR 802 TO PASS.

AND SO, OUR CAUCUS BELIEVES THAT THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THE DISCUSSION ON EXPANDING MEDICAID.

IT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST SHIFTS IN POLICY OF THIS STATE IN AT LEAST 12 YEARS.

AND THE LEGISLATURE WAS NOT EVEN IN SESSION WHILE ALL THESE DECISIONS WERE BEING MADE.

SO, WE HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF CONCERN THAT THE POLICY AND THE PROCEDURES, JUST NOT, NOT THE PROCESS ITSELF JUST HASN'T WORKED THE WAY IT SHOULD.

>> SENATOR TREAT, DO YOU FEEL THE SAME WAY?

IS THE PROCESS BEEN FLAWED IN GETTING US TO THIS POINT?

>> THE PROCESS HAS BEEN COMPLICATED.

SO, LAST SESSION WE PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS A PLAN THAT WAS CALLED SOONERCARE 2.0, THE GOVERNOR HAD CHAMPIONED AND THAT IT GOT VETOED.

AND SO, WE WERE BACK AT SQUARE ONE.

THE VOTERS PASSED, UH, 802, UH, BY A NARROW MARGIN, BUT THEY DID PASS IT.

AND WE WANT TO, UH, INSTITUTE THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

THEY DIDN'T PUT A FUNDING MECHANISM.

SO, WHAT'S REALLY COMPLICATED ABOUT INITIATIVE PETITIONS IS, YOU CAN PASS A SWEEPING CHANGE AND NOT FUND IT.

SO, WE'RE LOOKING FOR $164.8 MILLION, ROUNDABOUT, UH, TO BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT IT.

AND THE PROCESS IS ONGOING.

IT'S ONE OF THE MOST DIVISIVE CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> I'LL ASK THE REPRESENTATIVES.

DO YOU GUYS FEEL THE SAME WAY?

UH, REPRESENTATIVE ECHOLS, I'LL START WITH YOU QUICKLY.

DO YOU FEEL THE SAME WAY ON THAT?

IS IT A DOABLE TASK?

>> WELL, IT'S DOABLE TASK BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DO IT, BUT LEADER TREAT'S POINT, I MEAN, THERE WAS A FUNDING MECHANISM ON THE BALLOT IN ADDITION TO SOONERCARE 2.0, WHICH I WISH WAS NOT A VETO THAT WOULD HAVE SOLVED A LOT OF THESE PROBLEMS.

THERE ALSO, WAS A FUNDING MECHANISM ON THE BALLOT, WHICH WAS TSET.

ONE OF THE THINGS IT'S IMPORTANT FOR LEGISLATORS TO DO WHEN WE HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS IS BE HONEST WITH PEOPLE.

AND ONE OF THE WAYS TO BEING HONEST IS YOU CAN ONLY SPEND DOLLARS ONE TIME, THAT'S IT?

SO, HERE ARE THE OPTIONS, WE'RE GOING TO PRIVATIZE, WE ARE GOING TO RAISE TAXES, WE ARE GOING TO CUT FUNDS UP SOMEWHERE ELSE.

THOSE ARE THE OPTIONS.

AND THIS LEGISLATURE IS NOT GOING TO RAISE TAXES.

SO, WHAT WE HAVE TO DO, I DO THINK THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PROCESS.

I THINK TRYING TO RAM IT THROUGH IS NOT GOING TO END UP SUCCESSFUL IN THE LONG RUN.

UH, WHETHER IT'S THE GOVERNOR RAMMING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE OR THE MAJORITY PARTY RAMMING THROUGH THE MINORITY PARTY, WE'VE GOT TO DO THAT.

WE CAN'T DO THAT.

WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE PEOPLE THAT SAY MORE SERVICES, BUT NO MORE MONEY.

THAT'S NOT A DOABLE DEAL.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO FUND IT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BENNETT, WHAT ABOUT THE PRIVATIZATION OPTION?

WHAT CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO FOLKS LIKE ME WHO MAY NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT ALL THAT ENTAILS?

>> I WOULD EXPLAIN IT LIKE THE OTHER GUYS HAVE THAT IT'S A PRETTY COMPLICATED, UM, DEAL.

AND OUR CAUCUS IS WORKING THROUGH THE DETAILS OF THAT AS WELL.

JUST LIKE THE OTHER CAUCUSES ARE BECAUSE WE WEREN'T, WE WEREN'T AT THE TABLE AS MUCH AS WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

PERHAPS.

UM, MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES CAN FEEL A LITTLE BIT OF OUR PAIN AT WHAT IT'S LIKE TO NOT BE AT THE TABLE WHEN, WHEN MAJOR DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE.

BUT THE REALITY IS, UH, EVERY TIME WE TALK ABOUT MEDICAID EXPANSION, WE SHOULD THANK THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA FOR PASSING IT BECAUSE 200,000 PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET HEALTHCARE NOW THAT WEREN'T BEFORE.

UM, AND SO, IT'S NOT JUST, CAN WE DO IT?

IT'S WE MUST DO IT JUST LIKE, UH, REPRESENTATIVE ECHOLS SAID.

UM, SO, THAT MEAN THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE QUESTION IS WHAT WILL THE STATE DO IT, OR WILL WE CONTRACT A PRIVATE COMPANY TO DO IT?

IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS MADE THAT DECISION.

UM, AND, AND I SHARE, I THINK ONCE AGAIN, HE'S DONE WHAT SEEMS TO BE IMPOSSIBLE OFTEN, WHICH IS UNIFIED THE LEGISLATURE AND THE CHAMBER.

>> THERE'S A NEW LEGISLATIVE OFFICE OF FISCAL TRANSPARENCY, WHO WANTS TO TELL ME WHAT THAT IS AND WHAT THAT DOES?

>> UH, WE CREATED IT A COUPLE OF SESSIONS AGO.

IT'S, IT'S PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

IT'S SHARED BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND IT'S TO GET REAL ACTIONABLE NUMBERS.

UH, IT WAS SOMETHING OKLAHOMA WAS LACKING COMPARED TO OTHER STATES.

WE'D GET NUMBERS FROM STATE AGENCIES, AND WE HAD NO WAY OF VERIFYING THOSE NUMBERS OR, OR LOOKING INTO PROGRAMS TO SEE IF THEY'RE WORKING.

IT'S OFF TO A FAST START.

THEY'VE GOTTEN A FEW REPORTS OUT, AND I'M VERY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE DID IN THE LEGISLATURE TO CREATE THIS OFFICE.

IT IS ALREADY PROVEN ITS WORTH.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT, ABOUT THE NEW OFFICE, SENATOR FLOYD?

>> I THINK THAT LOFT HAS TURNED OUT TO BE VERY BENEFICIAL.

I THINK THAT LEADER TREAT IS BEING A LITTLE BIT MODEST BECAUSE THIS WAS REALLY SOMETHING THAT HE CHAMPIONED TWO SESSIONS AGO.

AND, BUT FOR, UM, HIS DETERMINATION, I DON'T KNOW IF WE WOULD'VE GOTTEN IT.

SO, I THINK THAT LOFT IS WORKING, FORTUNATELY, THE WAY IT WAS PRESENTED WOULD WORK.

AND I THINK THAT WITH THE REPORT THAT IS GOING TO BE COMING OUT SOON, WE'RE GOING TO SEE IF, IF IT'S PLUGGING SOME OF THE HOLES WITH THE INFORMATION WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> SENATOR, I'M STAYING WITH YOU.

WILL THIS HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON APPROPRIATIONS?

WILL IT CREATE CHANGE IN HOW BUSINESS IS DONE?

>> WELL, I THINK, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT LOFT DOES IS IT -- IT HELPS ANSWER THE QUESTION OF WHAT'S THE METHODOLOGY FOR THE STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, THAT THE STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION USES.

AND THAT WAS A BIG QUESTION THAT WE HAD.

SO, I THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE LOFT DOING ITS JOB AND WHAT WE DO WITH THE NUMBERS?

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'LL DO WITH THE NUMBERS, BUT I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THEM PROBABLY IN DETAIL THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD IN THE PAST.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BENNETT, UM, THE CRITIQUE THE GOVERNOR'S, UH, CARES ACT SPENDING.

UH, HAVE YOU -- HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO SEE THAT AND WHAT DO YOU THINK OF IT?

>> YEAH.

AS SOON AS I SEEN THE REPORT, IT'S FASCINATING READING AND EVERYBODY, UH, LOOKING FOR SOME LIGHT, FUN WEEKEND READING SHOULD, SHOULD FIND IT.

UM, THE CRITICISM IS VALID BECAUSE THE BOTTOM LINE IS THERE'S A LOT OF CARES ACT DOLLARS THAT WE CAN'T TRACE AS WELL AS, AS THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA DESERVE FOR US TO BE ABLE TO.

UM, AND SO, I WILL ADMIT MY SKEPTICISM AT THE BEGINNING, UH, AND APOLOGIES TO LEADER TREAT, UH, UH, FOR THAT.

BUT, UM, I'VE BEEN PLEASANTLY SURPRISED BY THEIR, BY THEIR ABILITY TO, TO FORCE THIS, THIS, UH, TRANSPARENCY AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ONCE AGAIN HAS, UM, HAS SOME, SORRY ABOUT THAT.

I JUST GOT A CALL WHILE I WAS DOING THAT, UM, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OBVIOUSLY HAS SOME, SOME ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS THEY NEED TO ANSWER, BUT, UM, IF LOFT CONTINUES IN THIS WAY, UH, WITH, WITH GOOD BIPARTISAN OVERSIGHT BY THE LEGISLATURE, I'M, I'M OPTIMISTIC.

>> REPRESENTATIVE ECHOLS, DID YOU, DID YOU READ THAT REPORT ON THE CARE'S SPENDING OVER THE WEEKEND IN YOUR DOWNTIME?

AND IF SO, THOUGHTS?

>> YES, I HAVE.

I'VE READ THE REPORT.

I THINK LOFT DID A GREAT JOB.

YOU KNOW, HERE'S ON LOFT.

LOFT IS SOMETHING THE PRO TEMP ABSOLUTELY DID CHAMPION, AND I WAS HONORED TO BE ABLE TO CARRY IT IN THE HOUSE, CAUSE IT'S, UH, IT WAS A GREAT IDEA THAT WE'VE NEEDED FOR A LONG TIME.

IT'S THE, IT'S THE SWORD OF THE LEGISLATURE.

IT NEEDS ITS OWN INDEPENDENT FACT-FINDING BODY.

I DO THINK WE CAN MAKE TOO MUCH OF THIS REPORT.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR DID A GREAT JOB WITH CARES ACT FUNDING.

BUT WHAT I LOVE ABOUT LOFT IS IT GOES IN AND SAYS, HERE'S HOW WE CAN DO IT BETTER.

UH, IT IS AN INDEPENDENT BODY THAT SAYS, INSTEAD OF TALKING ABOUT ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT IT DOES, THAT'S NOT THE POINT OF LOFT.

THE POINT OF LOFT IS HOW DO WE MAKE THINGS BETTER?

WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO DO BEST PRACTICES?

UM, SO, I DON'T WANT TO OVERBLOW THE CRITICISM OF THE GOVERNOR AS TO HOW HE DID THE CARES ACT FUNDING.

IT WAS UNCHARTED TERRITORY.

I THINK OVERALL HE DID A GOOD JOB.

UH, BUT I DO WANT TO GO BACK TO AN AREA WHERE POLICY REALLY, I THINK, WILL BE CHANGED THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, WHICH IS HOW WE DID DETERMINE HOW MUCH MONEY WE HAVE.

UM, I WOULD PUT FORTH AS A MEMBER OF THAT COMMITTEE THAT WE NEED TO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE PRO TEMP AND AN APPOINTMENT FROM THE SPEAKER, UH, EVEN IF THEY ARE NON-VOTING EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ON THAT BOARD.

UH, SO, YOU HAVE REAL LIFE BUDGET EXPERTS, UH, THAT ARE NOT DETERMINATIVE OF HOW MUCH MONEY THEY HAVE TO SPEND.

THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD NEVER DETERMINE HOW MUCH MONEY IT HAS TO SPEND, BUT ARE ON THE BOARD AND CAN GIVE SOME, UH, SOME ACCOUNTABILITY AND SOME EXPERTISE TO IT.

>> SWITCH TO THE -- JUST CALLS FOR JUSTICE REFORM IN OKLAHOMA.

UM, AND SENATOR FLOYD, I DO WANT TO START WITH YOU ON THIS, HAS ENOUGH BEEN DONE OR IS THERE MORE TO BE DONE THAT YOU HOPE TO ADDRESS IN THIS SESSION?

THEY'RE ALWAYS GOING TO BE MORE TO BE DONE.

I MEAN, THIS IS A -- THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY COMPLICATED ISSUE.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT -- THAT THE STATE'S BEEN LOOKING AT FOR DECADES LONG BEFORE ANY OF US WERE ALL IN THE LEGISLATURE, LONG AFTER WE'RE GONE, IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE LOOKED AT.

I WILL TELL YOU FROM, FROM MY STANDPOINT, AND THIS IS THIS, THIS KAY UH, NOT, NOT SENATOR FLOYD.

UH, THE BIGGEST ISSUE THAT I SEE WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM IS, UH, AND THIS IS BECAUSE OF MY BACKGROUND, IS WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO FUND THE COURTS WITHOUT BEING DEPENDENT ON FINES, FEES, AND ASSESSMENTS.

WE'VE GOT TO FIND A WAY OTHER THAN, THAN FINDING OUR COURTS THAT WAY, BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IS, THE COURTS ARE SET UP TO TAKE THE MONEY THAT THEY'RE COLLECTING FROM FINES AND FEES AND PUTTING IT INTO THE SYSTEM TO MAINTAIN THE COURT SYSTEM.

SO, EVEN IF IT'S JUST ON ITS FACE, THAT LOOKS TERRIBLY IMPROPER.

SO, ROGER THOMPSON, OUR SENATE APPROPRIATIONS CHAIR, AND, UM, THE -- THE COURTS ARE WORKING TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN APPORTION MONEY TO THE COURT SYSTEM AND GET AWAY FROM THE FINES AND THE FEES, AND THEN THE ASSESSMENTS SO, THAT THE SYSTEM WORKS THE WAY IT NEEDS TO WORK AND IT'S FOCUSED ON JUSTICE AND NOT TRYING TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN.

>> SENATOR TREAT, IS THAT REALISTIC?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

I AGREE 100% WITH WHAT LEADER FLOYD SAID THAT THE COURTS ARE WAY TOO DEPENDENT ON FINES, FEES AND ASSESSMENTS.

AND IT'S -- THERE'S A REASON THAT WHEN A HIGHWAY PATROLMAN PULLS YOU OVER AND TICKETS YOU.

THAT MONEY DOES NOT GO TO THE HIGHWAY PATROL.

IT'S A PERVERSE INCENTIVE, UH, TO BUILD THE BUDGET, AND OUR COURTS ARE BUILT JUST THE OPPOSITE OF THAT, WHERE THEIR FINES, FEES AND ASSESSMENTS -- AND I'M NOT SAYING THERE'S ANYTHING NEFARIOUS GOING ON, BUT IT IS CREATED A SYSTEM THAT PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT THAT THEY -- THEY OWN -- OWE, SO, MUCH ONCE THEY GET OUT OF INCARCERATION THAT THEY'RE IN THIS CYCLE THAT THEY CAN'T GET OUT OF.

WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING THERE.

WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT PENDULUM'S BALANCED BETWEEN PROTECTING PUBLIC SAFETY, WHICH IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST PRIORITIES THE GOVERNMENT CAN DO, BUT ALSO, MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE DRUG ISSUES OR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, THAT WE DON'T JUST LOCK THEM WAY, THAT WE GET THEM THE TREATMENT THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO BE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS, NOT JUST TAXPAYING CITIZENS, BUT PEOPLE WHO RAISE THEIR FAMILIES HERE AND GO TO THE SCHOOL WITH OUR KIDS.

IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ISSUE THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO WORK ON.

>> REPRESENTATIVE ECHOLS, I WANT TO GO FARTHER IN THIS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE IMPACT OF INCARCERATION AND NOT TOO LONG AGO, THE STATE CLOSED DOWN SOME MENTAL HEALTH, UH, REHABILITATION CENTERS IN ORDER TO SAVE MONEY.

NOW, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE PENDULUM SWINGING THE OTHER WAY.

LET'S PUT SOME MONEY BACK IN THERE.

WHEN DO WE GET A LOCKED DOWN REHABILITATIVE, UM, A SYSTEM IN PLACE THAT ISN'T CHANGED EVERY THREE OR FOUR YEARS?

>> WELL, IF YOU MET NORRIS AND SORK, THOSE WERE NOT DONE AWAY WITH, FOR FISCAL EXPEDIENCE, I DO A LOT WITH THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED COMMUNITY, NORRIS AND SORK WERE NOT DONE AWAY WITH, FOR FISCAL EXPEDIENCY.

THEY WERE DEVELOPED, DONE AWAY WITH BECAUSE THEY WERE BROKE MODELS THAT WERE NOT THE WAY WE SHOULD TREAT THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED.

UM, SO, BUT I'VE JUST -- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THOSE OR NOT, BUT NORRIS AND SORK, UH, SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE AWAY WITH.

THAT IS NOT HOW WE SHOULD TREAT THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED.

THE COMMUNITY FIRMLY WANTED TO GET BEHIND THAT, BUT YOU BRING UP A CRITICAL POINT THAT GETS MISSED IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND I'M SO GLAD YOU BROUGHT IT UP, THE AVAILABILITY OF CRITICAL BEDS.

AND WE NEED EVERYTHING FROM CRISIS INTERVENTION BEDS, WHICH IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN THIS CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOW DO WE HAVE MEDICAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THAT GO OUT WITH POLICE OFFICERS, SOME ARE CALLING TO GO OUT INSTEAD OF POLICE OFFICERS.

I THINK THAT'S A HUGE MISTAKE, BUT I DO THINK SENDING THEM WITH POLICE OFFICERS IS A GREAT IDEA.

SO, WE NEED BOTH THOSE CRITICAL BEDS FOR CRITICAL ACUITY, BUT WHAT WE DON'T HAVE ANYMORE, AND IS NOT NEARLY ENOUGH LONG-TERM CARE BEDS.

WHERE WE HAVE PEOPLE INSTEAD THAT ARE INSIDE THE CORRECTION SYSTEM, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S FUNDING AS MUCH AS IT'S MINDSET.

WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE MINDSET OUR -- OUR PRISONS, OUR JAILS, BY THE WAY, ARE, ARE GETTING HIT WAY HARDER THAN PRISONS, EVEN IN THIS REGARD.

OUR JAILS ARE NOT SET UP TO BE MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES.

WE SHOULD HAVE PLACES TO TAKE THESE INDIVIDUALS.

AND IF WE LOOK AT SOME OTHER STATE'S MODELS, COLORADO DOES A PRETTY GOOD JOB.

WE'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO COMPLETELY CHANGE OUR MINDSET.

>> SENATOR BENNETT, DO YOU -- DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT TAKE?

IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS MIGHT ALSO BE A BI-PARTISAN ISSUE, UM, UH, FOR THE LEGISLATURE?

>> YEAH.

ALL OF THE STUFF THAT YOU'VE HEARD THAT MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES SAY, UH, TODAY IS STUFF THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

AND I REALLY AM SINCERELY GLAD THAT EVERYBODY'S ON THE SAME PAGE NOW, UH, ABOUT SO MUCH OF WHAT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM MEANS.

THE PROBLEM IS I THINK THAT WE GOT A LOT OF THE LOW-HANGING FRUIT, UH, SO TO SPEAK WITH -- WITH SOME OF THE STATE QUESTIONS THAT WE'VE PASSED RECENTLY, AND THEN OTHER REFORMS OF THE PAST.

AND NOW IT'S INTO THE NEW SHIFT.

PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES SHOULD NEVER BE IN THE SYSTEM IN THE FIRST PLACE.

WE'VE GOT TO SAVE THEM AND REDIRECT THEM, UM, TO, TO, UH, PROGRAMS THAT WORK.

UH, COLORADO DOES A GREAT JOB SPECIFICALLY IN DENVER JUST NOW, BUT THEY DID A SIX-MONTH PILOT PROGRAM WHERE THEY SENT MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO SOME CALLS INSTEAD OF POLICE OFFICERS.

AND IT WAS AN OVERWHELMING SUCCESS.

WE CAN GO ON AND ON IN THIS VEIN, LET'S TALK ABOUT BAIL SYSTEM AND PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD IT, SO, THEY END UP IN THE COUNTY JAIL FOR ONE TO TWO YEARS WAITING UNTIL THEY GET SENTENCED TO GO TO PRISON BECAUSE THEY CAN'T BOND OUT.

MEANWHILE, THEIR FAMILIES ARE DOING WITHOUT, BUT, AND I THINK THAT'S COMING MORE OF A BIPARTISAN ISSUE AS WELL IN OUR LEGISLATURE.

UM, SO, ALL OF THIS, I KNOW YOU SAID IT DOESN'T TAKE MONEY, BUT A LOT OF THESE THINGS TAKE MONEY.

HOW'S THE STATE SITTING FOR MONEY.

SENATOR TREAT, I'LL LET YOU TAKE THAT ONE.

>> I THINK THAT WE'RE IN A BETTER POSITION THAN WE LEFT.

YOU KNOW, LAST APRIL, UH, THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION HAD A UNIQUE MEETING OR AT LEAST UNIQUE IN MY TIME UP HERE WHERE THEY RE-CERTIFIED OFF THE NUMBERS, THEY GAVE US IN FEBRUARY AND CUT IT, UH, DRASTICALLY BY $1.3 BILLION.

AND WE ARGUED AT THE TIME THAT WE THOUGHT THAT WAS TOO AGGRESSIVE, THAT IT WAS, UH, THE DOWNTURN WASN'T QUITE THAT MUCH, BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE DATA TO BACK THAT UP.

AND THAT'S ANOTHER THING LOFT, TO BE ABLE TO HELP US IN THE LONG RUN.

BUT WE, WE CUT STATE GOVERNMENT AT $1.3 BILLION, UH, AND TRY TO MINIMIZE CUTS IN THE CRITICAL AREAS, UH, THAT HAS PUT US IN A BETTER SPOT COMING INTO THIS SESSION.

WE HAVE SOME CASH ON HAND BECAUSE IT WAS MORE LIKE 800 MILLION THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN CUT.

SO, WE'RE IN A MUCH BETTER SPOT, NOT EVERYTHING IS ROSY.

UH, AND WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH MONEY FOR THE 164.8 MILLION ON MEDICAID EXPANSION THAT WASN'T FUNDED IN THE STATE QUESTION.

SO, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF CHALLENGES IN FRONT OF US, BUT WE'RE IN A MUCH BETTER SPOT THAN WE WERE WHEN WE LEFT SESSION LAST YEAR.

>> SENATOR FLOYD, DO YOU AGREE?

>> WE ARE IN A BETTER SPOT THAN WITHIN WHEN WE LEFT.

AND THE NUMBERS WERE REVISED, WHICH WAS IN OUR FAVOR, WHICH WAS GREAT.

THE BUDGET IS THE NUMBER ONE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT'S -- THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT WE WERE THERE TO DO.

AND IT IS ALWAYS A CHALLENGE.

IT'S MORE OF A CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW.

>> EVERYONE, THAT WRAPS UP THE QUESTIONS I HAVE, BUT I ALWAYS END MY INTERVIEWS WITH ASKING, IS THERE SOMETHING WE DIDN'T ADDRESS THAT YOU FEEL IS IMPORTANT TO TOUCH ON?

>> SUSAN, I BELIEVE THAT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOUR VIEWERS KNOW THAT WE ACTUALLY GET WORK DONE AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

WHAT YOU SEE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVE BENNETT AND SENATOR FLOYD AND ME AND REPRESENTATIVE ECHOLS, WE ACTUALLY LIKE EACH OTHER AND WE WORK TOGETHER.

AND SO THIS -- THIS NARRATIVE THAT PEOPLE THINK WE'RE JUST LIKE WASHINGTON, DC, COULD NOT BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.

WE ACTUALLY WORK TOGETHER.

WE LIKE EACH OTHER.

AND WHILE WE MAY HAVE SOME REALLY BIG DISAGREEMENTS, WE RESPECT EACH OTHER.

AND I HOPE THAT OKLAHOMANS, UH, KNOW THAT BECAUSE I THINK FAR TOO OFTEN, WE GET WRAPPED INTO THIS VITRIOL THAT PEOPLE THINK WE'RE JUST LIKE DC.

WE'RE NOT.

>> I THINK THAT'S CLEAR IN THIS INTERVIEW.

I'M PLEASANTLY SURPRISED YOU ALL AGREE ON EVERYTHING.

SO, IT'S JUST GOING TO BE A SMOOTH SESSION, RIGHT?

>> I WOULDN'T SAY WE AGREE ON EVERYTHING.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> THANK YOU ALL.

THAT'S A GREAT -- THAT'S A GREAT WAY TO END THIS.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US AND HAVING THIS IMPORTANT CONVERSATION.

AND I HOPE TO HAVE YOU BACK AGAIN VERY SOON AS YOU WADE INTO THE WATERS A LITTLE DEEPER DURING THIS SESSION.

>>> THE ROLLING BLACKOUTS THIS WEEK HAVE RAISED MANY QUESTIONS A ABOUT OKLAHOMA'S ENERGY GRID AND HOW BEST TO CONSERVE ENERGY IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.

IN THIS WEEK'S "NATIONAL VIEW," WE HEAD WEST TO NEVADA.

A STATE THAT REMAINS COMMITTED TO BUILDING GREEN TO CONSERVE ENERGY.

HERE'S REPORTER HEATHER CAPUTO, WITH OUR P.B.S.

PARTNERS IN LAS VEGAS.

>> IN THE EARLY 2000S, GREEN BUILDINGS WERE SPROUTING UP ACROSS SOUTHERN NEVADA.

THE MOLASKY CORPORATE CENTER WAS ONE OF THEM.

ERWIN MOLASKY AND HIS FAMILY HELPED CREATE THE LARGEST PRIVATELY OWNED AND OPERATED LEED GOLD CERTIFIED CLASS A OFFICE BUILDING IN THE SOUTHWEST UNITED STATES.

>> THE FAMILY DECIDED TO BUILD A LEED GOLD BUILDING AT A COST THAT WAS ABOUT FOUR AND A HALF TO FIVE MILLION, MORE THAN A CODE COMPLIANT BUILDING.

SO THAT WAS A HIGHER UPFRONT COST.

THE RESULTING, UH, OPERATIONS OF THE BUILDING OVER THE LAST 11 OR 12 YEARS HAS BEEN A BUILDING THAT OPERATES AT A MUCH LOWER COST.

>> MOLASKY'S CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, INCORPORATED, MANY ECO-FRIENDLY ELEMENTS.

>> THE MAJOR ELEMENTS ARE THAT IT'S AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE DESIGN THAT MITIGATES THE USE OF WATER, ELECTRICITY, AND THEN MAXIMIZES HUMAN ELEMENTS LIKE DAYLIGHTING.

SO, OUR WINDOWS ARE TALLER, ALLOWING MORE SUNLIGHT IN AND NATURAL LIGHT IS MUCH HEALTHIER FOR THE BODY THAN, UH, ARTIFICIAL LIGHT.

ENERGY, UH, CONSUMPTION BEING AS LOW AS POSSIBLE IS ANOTHER MAJOR CONCEPT, UM, USING, UH, RECYCLABLE MATERIALS.

95% OF THIS BUILDING'S STEEL IS RECYCLED STEEL.

MAKING SURE THAT, UH, NO VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS, VOCS, ARE INTRODUCED IN THE BUILDING TO HELP US MANAGE THE AIR QUALITY.

THAT'S ANOTHER MAJOR CONCEPT.

SEWER RATES ARE DRIVEN BY THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT GOES INTO THE SEWER PIPE.

AND WE'VE MINIMIZED THAT.

WE RECYCLE WATER FOR OUR LANDSCAPING.

>> FROM RECYCLED DENIM MATERIAL FOR WALL INSTALLATION AND ENERGY EFFICIENT EQUIPMENT TO RECYCLING PROGRAMS AND ACCESS TO ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION, MOLASKY'S CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS HAS GONE GREEN IN A BIG WAY.

>> I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD OF THIS PROJECT, EVEN THOUGH IT'S A LOT HARDER TO DO A LEED GOLD BUILDING, VERSUS WHEN WE DID THIS ONE.

IT'S REALLY A SHINING EXAMPLE OF WHAT THIS INDUSTRY IS CAPABLE OF.

AND I THINK A LOT OF BUILDINGS FOLLOWED SUIT LOOKING AT OURS, THINKING THIS IS THE NEW TERM.

THIS IS A NEW STANDARD FOR THE INDUSTRY, IF YOU WILL, IN TERMS OF OFFICE BUILDINGS.

>> THE MOLASKY GROUP OF COMPANIES IS STILL BUILDING GREEN.

IT'S CURRENTLY WORKING ON FACILITIES FOR THE VETERANS AFFAIRS >> WE'LL SIT DOWN WITH UTILITY AND ENERGY LEADERS TO ANSWER SOME OF YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT OKLAHOMA'S ENERGY GRID.

IN RECOGNITION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH, WE'LL LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH EXCERPTS FROM AMANDA GORMAN'S POEM, "THE HILL WE CLIMB."

EDITED BY O.E.T.A.

PHOTOGRAPHER JONATHAN THOMPSON.

FOR ALL OF US HERE ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," I'M RICH LENZ.

STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY, STAY WARM, AND STAY TUNED TO O.E.T.A.