>>> WHEN LAWMAKERS RECONVENE FOR NEXT WEEK'S SESSION.

THEY'LL CONDUCT THEIR WORK IN SPECTACULAR NEW CHAMBERS.

>> THESE CHAMBERS ARE PROBABLY THE BEST THEY'VE BEEN IN THE 100 YEARS THE CAPITOL HAS BEEN IN OPERATION.

>> WE'LL HEAR FROM THE LEADERSHIP IN BOTH PARTIES IN A SPIRITED IN DEPTH CONVERSATION.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT, WE HAVE GOT TO GET COVID UNDER CONTROL.

>> PEOPLE IN THE STATE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD.

YOU KNOW, THEY KNOW WHAT THE RISKS ARE.

>> IT'S TAKEN 187 YEARS, BUT FINALLY, THE CHEROKEE NATION WILL BE REPRESENTED IN THE HALLS OF CONGRESS.

>> THE BIGGEST QUESTION HAS BEEN HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET IT DONE.

BECAUSE IT'S NOT BEEN DONE BEFORE.

>> THE TEACHER LEAVES WITH A KIT FULL OF ALL THE MATERIALS TO DO -- ALL THE EQUIPMENT FOR THE ACTIVITY.

THESE ARE HANDS ON MATH AND SCIENCE PROGRAMMING.

>> PLUS, GREAT INFORMATION ON IMPROVING THE ODDS OF FINDING YOUR LOST PET.

>> STATISTICALLY, THEY STAND A BETTER CHANCE OF GETTING BACK TO THE OWNER IF THEY STAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THEY WERE FOUND.

CHECK YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD FIRST.

>>> WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT" BY THIS TIME NEXT WEEK, THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE IN BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED CHAMBERS.

IT'S A CONSTRUCTION PROCESS THAT BEGAN AS SOON AS THE FINAL GAVEL FELL IN MAY.

JASON JOINS US WITH A SNEAK PEEK AT THE NEW DIGS.

>> Reporter: THIS $245 MILLION RENOVATION PROJECT IS ENTERING THE FINAL PHASE THIS YEAR.

ONE OF THE MOST PUBLIC EVENTS TO TAKE PLACE AT THE CAPITOL WILL BE THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY MANY WILL SEE THE CHANGES.

THE ECHOS FROM THAT FINAL GAVEL HAD BARELY FADED WHEN CREWS GARN TO RENOVATE WORK IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE CHAMBERS.

>> WE COULDN'T CONSTRUCT DURING SESSION, ONCE THEY STOPPED WE WERE IN THERE RIPPING THINGS OUT.

WE ONLY HAD ABOUT 8 OR 9 MONTHS BEFORE WE HAD TO TURN IT OVER TO THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Reporter: THE HOUSE AND SENATE CHAMBERS NOW HAVE NEW DAIS.

THE FAMILIAR COLOR CODED CARPETS REMAIN RED FOR THE SENATE AND GREEN FOR THE HOUSE.

NOW, FEATURE AN HISTORIC FLAIR.

>> WE REALLY WENT BACK IN FSB'S DESIGNERS WERE GREAT ABOUT THIS, THEY LOOKED AT SOME HISTORIC PATTERNS THAT WOE HAVE BEEN PROMINENT IN THE 1917, 1920 TIME PERIOD.

THEY TRIED TO PICK CARPETING THAT REFLECTED THAT.

>> THE CONSTRUCTION CREWS WERE ABLE TO ADD OTHER HISTORIC DETAILS.

>> WE WERE ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ORIGINAL SENATE WALL LIGHT SCONCES.

EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE NOT THE ORIGINALS, THEY LOOK LIKE THE ORIGINALS YOU'LL SEE IN THOSE PHOTOS FROM 1917.

>> THIS MULTIYEAR, MULTIMILLION DOLLAR CAPITOL RESTORATION PAYS ATTENTION TO THE SMALLEST DETAIL.

THIS RAILING IS BASED ON A RAILING THAT WAS ORIGINALLY IN THE CAPITOL 100 YEARS AGO.

>> A LOT OF THOSE FINE TOUCHES.

A LOT OF RESEARCH WENT INTO MAKING THESE CHAMBERS AS AUTHENTIC AS POSSIBLE FROM 1917.

>> Reporter: THE TECHNOLOGY WHICH ASSISTS LAWMAKERS IN DOING THEIR JOB IS UPDATED.

>> THERE'S A NEW AUDIO ON THE FOURTH FLOOR LEVEL WHERE ALL THE LEGISLATORS SIT.

THEY HAVE NO INPUTS INTO THEIR DESKS, THEY CAN CHARGE THEIR PHONES, THEY CAN PLUG IN THEIR LAPTOPS AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS FROM RIGHT THERE.

THEY INCLUDE UPDATES TO THE SYSTEM >> WE UPDATED ALL OF THOSE CAMERAS TO MAKE SURE THERE'S BETTER RESOLUTION, YOU CAN GET BETTER CAMERA ANGLES ON THE FLOOR.

AS PEOPLE ARE WATCHING ONLINE, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO SEE THEIR REPRESENTATIVES, THEIR SENATORS A LITTLE BETTER.

>> I THINK THE HOUSE CHAMBER IS AWESOME.

WE'VE HAD A FEW HICCUPS ALONG.

WE HAVE ADA COMPLIANCE ON THE DAIS.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

>> MARK McBRIDE IS THE ONLY REMAINING ORIGINAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE TO HELP OVERSEE THE CAPITOL'S RENOVATION.

HE SAYS THE IMPROVEMENTS ARE GREAT, BUT THERE'S ONE IMPORTANT ELEMENT MISSING.

>> MY FAVORITE PART IS NOT YET HERE, THE ARTWORK.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE THE ARTWORK GET PUT IN HERE, THAT'S THE GRAND FINALE TO ME.

BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH BEAUTIFUL ARTWORK THAT WAS COLLECTED OVER 100 YEARS.

>> THE ART WILL BE COMING BACK INTO THE BUILDING OVER THE SPRING, SUMMER.

>> Reporter: AS THE ART IS REINSTALLED AT THE CAPITOL, NEW PIECES WILL BE INCLUDED.

>> NOT ONLY THE ART WHERE PEOPLE ARE USED TO.

THE ARTS COUNCIL HAD A MILLION DOLLARS TO COMMISSION THIS ART.

WHEN PEOPLE COME INTO THE BUILDING, THEY'RE GOING TO SEE ALL KINDS OF NEW ART THEY HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE BEFORE.

>> WE HAVE A DIRECTION WE'RE GOING, RATHER THAN HANGING ART ON THE WALLS NOW, WE HAVE ART IN CERTAIN PLACES TO TELL DIFFERENT STORIES.

I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> VISITORS TO THE CAPITOL WILL DISCOVER TOUCH SCREEN TERMINALS TO HELP THEM FIND EVENTS OR LAWMAKERS OFFICES.

THE HALL OF GOVERNORS IS NOW ON THE SECOND FLOOR.

WHERE THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE USED TO BE.

>> WE'RE ADDING A MUSEUM, THAT OHS WILL BE PROGRAMMING ALL THE LENSES FOR.

>> THE STAINED GLASS THAT WAS IN THE AUSER DOME CEILING THAT WAS THERE BEFORE THE DOME WAS PUT ON WAS RESURRECTED AND COMPLETELY RESTORED BY TIM BROWN OUT OF EDMOND, OKLAHOMA, AND NOW THAT STAINED GLASS IS IN THE CEILING AS YOU ENTER INTO THE NEW STATE CAPITOL MUSEUM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE CAPITOL, AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL.

>> THE RESTORATION IS NEARLY COMPLETE.

>> IT'S BEEN EIGHT LONG YEARS SINCE WE STARTED THE PROJECT.

THE LEGISLATURE APPROPRIATED THE FIRST ROUND OF FUNDING FOR IT IN 2014, AND I CAME ON AS PROJECT MANAGER THAT SUMMER.

SO IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME GETTING HERE, IT'S BEEN EXCITING NOW THAT EIGHT YEARS LATER THE PROJECT IS WRAPPING UP.

>> THE CAPITOL RESTORATION WAS INITIATED WHEN LIMESTONE BEGAN FALLING FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING IN 2011.

THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE THIS NOVEMBER.

RICH?

>> THANKS.

>>> EACH YEAR THIS TIME, WE'RE FORTUNATE TO GATHER OKLAHOMA'S LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TOGETHER FOR AN INDEPTH CONVERSATION.

COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST, SUSAN GADOT AND KAY FLOYD WILL BE HERE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS ALWAYS LIVELY CONVERSATION.

>>> N95 MASKS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR OKLAHOMANS.

OKLAHOMANS CAN NOW GO TO MOST DRUGSTORES AND REQUEST A FREE MASK.

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WORKED WITH THE OKLAHOMA PHARMACIST ASSOCIATION TO DISTRIBUTE THESE MASKS.

>>> MEANWHILE, THE COVID ROLLER COASTER CONTINUES, WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN.

THAT'S THE CASE WITH OUR ROLLING SEVEN-DAY AVERAGES OF CASES.

THEY HAVE PLUMMETED FROM 10,396 PER DAY TO JUST 5,086 THIS WEEK.

MORE THAN 400 ICU BEDS ARE OF COURSE PIED WITH -- OCCUPIED WITH COVID PATIENTS.

AND SEVERAL OF THEM ARE CHILDREN.

>>> THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO CONTRACT COVID-19 EITHER HAVE MILD SYMPTOMS OR RECOVER AFTER A FEW WEEKS.

10 TO 30% OF PATIENTS SUFFER FROM LINGERING OR NEW SYMPTOMS A MONTH.

IT'S CALLED LONG COVID.

AND THIS WEEK, OU HEALTH RECEIVED A MILLION DOLLAR GRANT TO PARTICIPATE IN A STUDY FOR UP TO FOUR YEARS TO DETERMINE WHY THAT'S HAPPENING >> THIS OCCASIONALLY OCCURS WITH SOME VIRAL INFECTIONS.

THE RATE AT WHICH WE SAW THIS WITH INDIVIDUALS FOR COVID WAS DISTURBING ENOUGH THAT WE REALLY FELT AS A SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY WE NEEDED TO GET TO SOME OF THE ANSWERS TO THAT.

OVERALL, THE STUDY IS GOING TO RECRUIT OVER 18,000 PATIENTS HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

THERE WILL BE ADULT AND PEDIATRIC COHORTS OF THIS.

WE'LL RECRUIT 80 OR SO ADULT PATIENTS HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

AND THEN WE'LL BE RECRUITING ADDITIONAL CHILDREN THAT ARE EXPERIENCING LONG COVID.

>> COMMON LONG COVID SYMPTOMS INCLUDE HEADACHES, FATIGUE, BRAIN FOGG, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, CHRONIC COUGH AND INSOMNIA.

THE STATE ADMINISTRATION HAS FILED ANOTHER LAWSUIT AGAINST THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, THIS TIME, JOINING SEVEN OTHER REPUBLICAN LED STATES PROTESTING THE CENTRAL MINERS REFUGEE AND PAROLE PROGRAM.

THE PROGRAM IS BEING ABUSED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.

IT ALLOWS CHILDREN FROM THREE CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRIES TO BRING IN THEIR EXTENDED FAMILY TO BE WITH THEM.

THAT HAS CREATED A SURGE OF UNACCOMPANIED MINORS GETTING IN AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

WE'VE DONE SEVERAL REPORTS ON OKLAHOMA'S TEACHER SHORTAGE.

THIS WEEK, WE GET SPECIFIC.

FINDING ENOUGH TEACHERS QUALIFIED TO TEACH STEM COURSES MAY BE THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE FOR ADMINISTRATORS.

OKLAHOMA COMPANIES ARE STEPPING UP TO HELP.

>> Reporter: IT'S ESTIMATED BY 2024, 2.5 MILLION JOBS WILL REQUIRE STEM SKILLS.

EDUCATORS IN STEM, CAN INCREASE THE LIKELIHOODP CHILDREN BEING EXPOSED TO STEM AT AN EARLY AGE.

>> WE CAME UP WITH A PROGRAM AND WHAT WE DID IS, WE DECIDED IT WOULD BE A SUMMER LONGFELLOWSHIP, WHERE WE COULD ACTUALLY HAVE OUR TEACHERS COME IN.

WE WOULD PAY THEM A TECHNOLOGY SALARY.

>> Reporter: DIANA BIDDLE SAYS THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS A $2,000 STIPEND TO ASSIST TEACHERS WITH ITEMS THE CLASSROOM NEEDS.

>> Reporter: THE IDEA OF THE STIPEND CAME TO HER AFTER SEEING A SOCIAL MEDIA POST FROM ONE OF HER FORMER TEACHERS, THAT DETAILED THE NEEDED EXPENSES.

>> IT COST HIM ABOUT $100 A MONTH TO BE ABLE TOE SUPPLEMENT THEIR FUNDS, SO THAT THEY CAN DO THE ACTIVITIES THEY WANT TO.

>> I PERSONALLY GOT MORE GRAPH AND CALCULATORS, AND SOME OF THE NEW T.I.

INSPIRES.

>> Reporter: THE FELLOWSHIP WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL.

>> IT WAS KIND OF AMAZING, I FEEL LIKE THE WAY IT WAS SET UP, WE ACTUALLY GOT TO SEE MORE OF THE COMPANY.

>> Reporter: EACH WEEK, EDUCATORS WERE INTRODUCED TO NEW MATERIALS FROM DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS OF THE COMPANY.

>> WE LOOKED AT SECURITY, LIKE THE TECHNICAL SECURITY SIDE, THE I.T.

SECURITY.

WE EVEN SPENT TIME WITH THE DEPARTMENT THAT CREATED THE -- THEY HAVE A REALLY AMAZING A.I.

PROGRAM THAT WORKS IN HOUSE.

>> Reporter: GONZALEZ SAYS THEY WERE ABLE TO FOCUS ON TOPICS THEY WERE INTERESTED IN.

>> THEY SET US UP WITH THIS AMAZING PROGRAM WHERE WE COULD FOCUS ON THE THINGS YOU WANTED TO LEARN, SO YOU COULD DO SOME THINGS ON YOUR OWN TIME TOO.

>> Reporter: GONZALEZ SPENT MOST OF HER TIME INCREASING HER KNOWLEDGE IN TECHNOLOGY.

>> I GOT VERY INTO CODING OVER THE SUMMER.

A LOT OF PYTHON AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT I NEVER WOULD HAVE HAD ACCESS TO OTHERWISE.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, YOU GET TO MEET SO MANY PEOPLE FROM THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.

>> Reporter: GONZALEZ WAS ABLE TO APPLY WHAT SHE LEARNED OVER THE SUMMER TO HER CLASSROOM.

>> THEY HELP YOU FIGURE OUT HOW TO CONNECT TO THE REAL WORLD FOR YOUR STUDENTS.

SO A LOT OF -- WELL, IF YOU -- IF THEY REALLY ARE INTERESTED IN DOING THIS IN YOUR CLASSROOM, THIS IS THE DEPARTMENT THEY SHOULD GO INTO.

AND SO WHAT WE WANTED TO DO IS GIVE AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE TO OUR TEACHERS, SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND NOT ONLY FROM A FINANCIAL STANDPOINT WHAT I.T.

CAN DO FOR THEIR KIDS.

HOW FUN, EXCITING, REWARDING AND DIVERSE WE CAN BE WITH TECHNOLOGY.

>> Reporter: AMERICAN FIDELITY IS NOT THE ONLY ORGANIZATION THAT ASSISTS TEACHERS.

>> OUR ORGANIZATION WAS CREATED IN 1994 AT THE REQUEST OF THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY.

AND A COUPLE YEARS INTO THE PROGRAM, THE BOARD DECIDED TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES TO TEACHERS AND STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Reporter: ONE RESOURCE PROVIDED BY OERB IS AN ONLINE HOMEROOM THAT FUNCTIONS AS A VIRTUAL CLASSROOM SPACE.

>> TEACHERS CAN GET WHITE BOARD LESSONS, THEY CAN DOWNLOAD VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS.

WE HAVE A SCIENTIST THAT WILL TAKE YOU ON A FIELD TRIP TO A DRILLING RIG OR A PRODUCTION SITE.

OR EVEN TO CUSHING TO SEE WHERE THE OIL IS STORED.

>> Reporter: EDUCATORS NEED TO COMPLETE A FEW WORKSHOPS PROVIDED BY OERB.

>> WE HAVE 14 WORKSHOPS ACROSS THE TIGHT.

>> Reporter: THE TEACHERS LEAVE THE WORKSHOP WITH IMPLEMENTS IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> THE TEACHER LEAVES WITH A KIT OF MATERIALS TO DO ALL THE ACTIVITIES.

AND THESE ARE HANDS ON MATH AND SCIENCE PROGRAMMING.

>> BOTH AMERICAN FIDELITY AND OERB PLAN TO CONTINUE THEIR CONTRIBUTION IN OKLAHOMA EDUCATION.

>> I'M THANKFUL FOR AMERICAN FIDELITY, IT MADE ME WANT TO LEARN AGAIN.

NOT JUST TEACH IT, BUT LEARN IT.

I'M VERY VERY THANKFUL.

>> Reporter: AMERICAN FIDELITY LOOKS FORWARD TO THIS YEAR'S FELLOWSHIP CLASS.

EDUCATORS HAVE UNTIL FEBRUARY 25th TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS.

>> TAYLOR, THANK YOU.

>>> THE TREATY OF ECHOTA WAS SIGNED BY PRESIDENT JACKSON.

THE TREATY DID SOMETHING POSITIVE THAT HAS TAKEN 187 YEARS TO COME TO FRUITION.

KENNEDY SEPULVADO JOINS US TO TELL US WHAT IT IS.

>> THE CHEROKEE NATION WAS GRANTED REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS.

HOWEVER, THE CHEROKEE NATION NEEDS FINAL APPROVAL BEFORE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BEFORE THE DELICATE CAN BE SEATED.

APPOINTING THE FIRST CHEROKEE NATION'S REPRESENTATIVE TO CONGRESS -- >> THAT MONTH I NOMINATED KIM TIHI.

HE WORKED ON CAPITOL HILL, NOMINATED HER TO BE OUR DELEGATE IN CONGRESS.

>> SHE WAS RAISED IN CLAIRE MORE AND GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA LAW SCHOOL IN 1995.

SHE LIVES IN TELEQUA NOW, BUT HOPES TO BE WORKING IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AGAIN SOON.

>> WE'VE HAD PRECOVID, EXCELLENT MEETINGS.

WE'VE NOT HAD ANY MEMBER OF CONGRESS OPPOSE OUR PATH.

THE BIGGEST QUESTION HAS BEEN, HOW ARE WE GOING TOO GET IT DONE.

IT HASN'T BEEN DONE BEFORE.

>> CONGRESS HAS PASSED LAWS TO CEDE U.S.

TERRITORIES.

THEY HAVE NEVER SEATED A PERSON AS A RESULT OF A TRIBAL TREATY.

>> THE PROCESS IS ONE WE'RE TALKING THROUGH NOW.

WE HAVE ENLISTED THE ASSISTANCE OF HOUSE PARLIAMENTARIANS, WHOSE EXPERTISE AND RULES THAT GOVERN THE HOUSE, HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN CRAFTING SOMETHING FOR THE HOUSE TO CONSIDER.

>> Reporter: THE CHEROKEE NATION'S DELEGATION TO CONGRESS WOULDN'T HAVE A VOTE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

THAT DOES NOT MEAN SHE WOULDN'T PLAY A KEY ROLE IN DECISION MAKING.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT ALL THAT HAS TO TAKE PLACE FOR A BILL TO BECOME LAW, FOR A BILL TO MAKE ITS WAY THROUGH THE HOUSE CHAMBER, THERE'S A LOT OF THAT PROCESS THAT DELEGATES GET TO PARTICIPATE IN.

JUST BY VIRTUE OF BEING THERE.

>> Reporter: DELEGATES CAN INTRODUCE AND AMEND LEGISLATION AND SPEAK ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

FOR TEHE, IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE ANOTHER INDIGENOUS VOICE IN CONGRESS.

>> ONE OF THE CHAMPIONS IS NOW THE SECRETARY OF INTERIOR AT THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR DEB HOLLAND.

I THINK HAVING ANOTHER SEAT AT THE TABLE, HAVING SOMEONE WHO CAN BE AN ADDITIONAL VOICE WHO CAN APPRECIATE THE CULTURE.

>> THE TREATY RIDE IS UNIQUE TO THE CHEROKEE NATION.

THIS IS CHEROKEE NATION'S DELEGATE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

IN THE 21st CENTURY, IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT SOMEONE IN THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES FROM INDIAN COUNTRY.

YOU KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR ALL OF INDIAN COUNTRY.

>> THE CHEROKEE NATION HAS RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM ALL THE TRIBES.

>> IF WE ASSERT A TREATY RIDE AND IT'S SUCCESSFUL, IT STRENGTHENS OUR HANDS AT THE TREATY RIGHTS.

THE RISK IS WORTH IT.

WE OUGHT TO BE EXERTING THESE RIGHTS AND SUPPORTING EACH OTHER.

>> NANCY PELOSI, AND CONGRESSMAN TOM COLE HAVE ALSO EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR TEHE.

>> CONGRESSMAN MULLEN BEING A CHEROKEE CITIZEN, I THINK FOR THEM WHAT WE'VE GOTTEN BACK IS, THEY FEEL A LOT OF PRIDE IN THE FACT THAT THIS IS HAPPENING, BECAUSE THEY'RE NATIVE AMERICANS.

BUT THEY ALSO WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, AND UNDERSTAND THE DETAILS.

>> CONGRESSMAN MULLEN WHO REPRESENTS OKLAHOMA'S SECOND DISTRICT WHICH INCLUDES TELEQUA SENT US A STATEMENT THAT READS IN PART, APPOINTING A TRIBAL MEMBER FROM JUST ONE OF THE 574 RECOGNIZED TRIBES AS A DELEGATE TO THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS UNPRECEDENTED.

AT THE SAME TIME, I FIRMLY BELIEVE TRIBAL SOVEREIGN 2I AND TREATIES WITH TRIBAL NATIONS MUST BE HONORED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

FROM HER START AS AN INTERN FOR THE FIRST AND ONLY FEMALE PRINCIPLE CHIEF OF THE CHEROKEE NATION TO HER POSITION ON DOMESTIC POLICY AFFAIRS.

SHE'S BEEN PRAISED FOR HER WORK.

THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM CALLING HER A MONUMENTAL FIGURE IN HISTORY.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT HER TRACK RECORD FOR CHEROKEE NATION, THINK ABOUT THE STRIDES WE MADE IN HEALTH CARE, THAT TOOK A GREAT DEAL OF ADVOCACY IN THE CONGRESS, AND WORKING WITH EXECUTIVE AGENCIES.

YOU WOULD SAY, THIS IS THE RESUME OF SOMEONE WHO IS MADE FOR THIS POSITION.

>> Reporter: TEHE'S EXPERIENCE ON CAPITOL HILL HAS PREPARED HER TO ACT AS A VOICE FOR ALL OF INDIAN COUNTRY WHEN SHE'S EVENTUALLY SEATED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> TO ADDRESS THE CONNECTIVITY GAP, TO ADDRESS TELEHEALTH ISSUES, SO MANY THINGS, FOOD DESERTS.

CERTAINLY MAKING SURE THAT THE RESOURCES ARE THERE.

AND THAT ARE SET ASIDE FOR TRIBES, SO THERE'S DEPLOYMENT AT A LEVEL THAT WILL MAKE A MEANINGFUL IMPACT TO INDIAN COUNTRY.

AFTER OVER 2 YEARS OF WORKING WITH CONGRESS, THEY HOPE TO GET APPROVED THIS CONGRESSIONAL SESSION.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> OKLAHOMA'S RENEWABLE ENERGY ESTABLISH IS WELL ESTABLISHED WHEN IT COMES TO WIND, SOLAR AND ELECTRICAL POWER.

WHAT ABOUT GEOTHERMAL INDUSTRY?

THIS WEEK, I SPOKE TO BETH WALLACE WITH STATE IMPACT OKLAHOMA TO LEARN WHY OUR STATE IS WELL POSITIONED TO DEVELOPING GEOTHERMAL INDUSTRY.

BETH, THE EXPERTS YOU SPOKE TO IN YOUR ARTICLE SAY OKLAHOMA COULD BECOME THE GEOTHERMAL CAPITOL OF THE WORLD.

WHAT DO THEY BASE THAT ON?

>> OKLAHOMA IS IN A REALLY SPECIAL POSITION BECAUSE OF THE PROLIFERATION OF THE NATURAL GAS.

WHENEVER YOU'RE DRILLING GEOTHERMAL WELLS, IT CAN GET EXPENSIVE.

THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF WELLS IN OKLAHOMA THAT ARE GETTING CLOSE TO RETIREMENT.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS ALREADY THERE.

THAT'S WHAT THE PRINCIPLE DIRECTOR IS SETTING OUT TO DO.

OKLAHOMA HAS AN EXTREMELY SKILLED WORKFORCE.

WE CAN DRILL A 1,000 FOOT DRILL IN A WEEK.

THAT'S SOMETHING A LOT OF PLACES CAN'T DO.

OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS ARE STILL CULTIVAING GEOTHERMAL UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAM.

WE CAN SEE SEVERAL WAYS OKLAHOMA IS SET TO CAPITALIZE ON GEOTHERMAL ACTIVITY.

>> TELL US MORE ABOUT A THE GRANT.

>> THE GRANT IS ABOUT $1.7 MILLION.

AND THE FUNDING ALLOWS FOR A LOT OF THINGS, BUT MAINLY FOR PERSONNEL.

SO THE HIGHER A GRADUATE STUDENT, POST DOC STUDENT, IT PROVIDES RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS.

THEY'LL PAY FOR THE OPERATION COST OF THE FIELDWORK.

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FUNDS CAME FROM OTHER PLACES BESIDES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CUE.

THE NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY HAS ALSO MADE PRETTY SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS THAT PUT THE TOTAL VALUE OF THIS PROJECT CLOSE TO $3 MILLION.

>> HOW CAN GEOTHERMAL ENERGY BE USED?

WHAT ARE THE APPLICATIONS.

>> SOME FOLKS MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH SHALLOW GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMPS, THOSE ARE MADE FOR CONSUMER USE TO HEAT INDIVIDUAL HOMES.

THE DEEPER WELLS HAVE THE CAPACITY TO HEAT CITIES OR SEVERAL THOUSAND HOMES.

THERE ARE OTHER METHODS WHERE GEOTHERMAL ENERGY CAN BE USED TO PRODUCE ENERGY.

WITH WIND AND SOLAR, THE PROBLEM IS, THEY ARE VARIABLE.

THE GEOTHERMAL ENERGIES, IT'S ALWAYS ON, IT'S ON AROUND THE CLOCK.

AND IT'S AVAILABLE ALMOST EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

THEIR ESTIMATES ARE JUST A TENTH OF A% OF EARTH'S UNDERGROUND HEAT CONTENT COULD SUPPLY EARTH'S ENERGY NEEDS FOR 2 MILLION YEARS.

THAT'S WHAT THIS PROJECT IS ABOUT.

>> YOU MISSED THE TIMETABLE ON WHEN WE MIGHT EXPECT TO SEE THESE WELLS UP AND OPERATING IN OKLAHOMA?

>> THE FIRST YEAR IS A FEASIBILITY PHASE.

THAT'S WHERE THEY'LL BE CREATING MODELS AND SEE IF THIS IS A VIABLE PROJECT.

THE SECOND YEAR WILL BE THE OPERATIONS PHASE.

AT THE TIME, THE TEAM WILL RETROFIT THESE FOUR OIL WELLS.

THE THIRD YEAR IS THE MEASUREMENT PHASE, THAT'S WHEN THE TEAM WILL MEASURE ENERGY PRODUCTION.

AND SEE IF THE OUTPUTS ALIGN WITH SIMULATIONS AND MODELS.

THIS GRANT FUNDED PROJECT WILL BE FINISHED.

THE HOPE IS THAT THE NEXT STEP WILL BE TO GET THE ENERGY TO SCHOOLS.

LIKE MANY THINGS, IT COMES DOWN TO FUNDING.

SOMETHING THAT IS COOL TO NOTE, IF THIS HAPPENS, TUT EL ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS WOULD BE THE FIRST BUILDINGS IN THE WORLD TO BE HEATED BY GEOTHERMAL ENERGY FROM REPURCHASED WELLS.

>> THAT WAS A WEALTH OF INFORMATION, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WITH MORE ON ENERGY AND INDUSTRY IN OKLAHOMA, HERE'S JASON DOYLE WITH OUR WEEKLY OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> CONTINENTAL RESOURCES HAS JOINED A GROUP OF INVESTORS FOR A CANADIAN COMPANY'S CLEAN HYDROGEN COMPANY.

THE COMPANY HAS CREATED TECHNOLOGY TO SEPARATE NATURAL GAS, REDUCING THE CO2 EMISSIONS FROM THE PROCESS.

THE TECHNOLOGY FITS INTO CURRENT NATURAL GAS INFRASTRUCTURE IN NORTH AMERICA.

THE COMPANY CLAIMS ITS PROCESS CAN PRODUCE CLEAN HYDROGEN.

THE INVESTMENT GROUP INCLUDES CONTINENTAL, CONOCOPHILLIPS AND OTHERS.

THE TRANSITION TO HYDROGEN AS AN ENERGY RESOURCE, THE MATRIX IS AN INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING AND MAINTENANCE CONTRACTOR FOR UTILITIES.

BY JOINING THE HYDROGEN COUNCIL, THEY CAN MAKE THE TRANSITION FROM FOSSIL FUELS TO HYDROGEN.

WILLIAMS IS INCREASING ITS DIVIDEND BY 3.3%.

LAST YEAR DURING THE SAME QUARTER WILLIAMS DIVIDEND WAS 41 CENTS A SHARE.

THE DIVIDEND WILL BE PAID OUT MARCH 28th, TO SHAREHOLDERS WHO PURCHASED THE STOCK BEFORE MARCH 11.

BANK CITY IS RECORDING RECORD PROFITS IN 2021, A NET WELCOME OF 23.2 MILLION.

COMPARED TO 2020'S PROFIT OF 19.3 MILLION.

THEY HAVE INCREASED THEIR ASSETS BY 4 BILLION UP FROM 1 BILLION.

THE RECORD PROFITS WERE RECORDED.

>>> WHOLESALE MARIJUANA PRICES DROPPED IN 2021.

LEAFLYNCH HAS RELEASED THEIR WHOLESALE CANNABIS PRICING GUIDE.

IT SHOWS PRICES DECREASED BY 28% FOR SMOKEABLE MARIJUANA.

OUT OF THE TEN MARKETS.

OKLAHOMA HAS THE LOWEST WHOLESALE COST FOR EDIBLE CANNABIS PRODUCTS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUPS LIKE THE ASPCA SAY 15% OF THE DOGS THAT GO MISSING FIND THEIR WAY BACK HOME.

THAT'S ROUGHLY 1 IN 7.

THERE ARE THINGS THAT PET OWNERS CAN DO AND BE AWARE OF THAT IMPROVES ODDS.

>> BABY IS A 12-YEAR-OLD SCHNAUZER MIX THAT'S BEEN WITH ONE FAMILY FOR THE LAST 11 YEARS.

>> WE'VE HAD HER OFF AND ON.

REALLY OUR DAUGHTER'S DOG, BUT WE KEPT HER A LOT.

>> ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE EVER CURIOUS BABY SCOOTED OUT THEIR DAUGHTER'S GARAGE DOOR AND STRAIGHT INTO THOSE WOODS.

ACCORDING TO SECURITY FOOTAGE BY A NEARBY NEIGHBOR.

>> I WAS UPSET AND CRYING.

AND I WANTED TO GO LOOK FOR HER.

>> A LOT OF FOLKS LOOKED.

FINDING A LOST DOG IS AS EASY AS FINDING WALDO.

UNLESS THEY'RE WEARING ONE OF THESE.

INSURANCE AGENT MICHAEL WELLER SPOTTED THE TIRED AND HAGGARD MUTT OUTSIDE HIS OFFICE BEFORE NOON.

SHE HAD BEEN ATTACKED, PROBABLY BY ANOTHER ANIMAL.

SHE HAD WOUNDS ON HER NECK AND ALL OVER HER BACK.

>> SHE LOOKED AT ME AND WAS RESIGNED THAT SHE WASN'T GETTING AWAY FROM ME.

LUCKILY SHE HAD HER COLLAR ON AND WAS VERY SLOW IN APPROACHING HER, I WAS ABLE TO SEE IT WAS HER RABBIES TAG, AND IT HAD THE PHONE NUMBER OF THE VETERINARY CLINIC.

>> HE CALLED THE VET WHO CALLED RALPH WITH THE NEWS.

THIS IS CELL PHONE VIDEO FROM DECEMBER 29th OF AN INJURED, HUNGRY, DAZED AND CONFUSED BABY, AND WELLER WHO EXEMPLIFIED THE OKLAHOMA STANDARD.

>> IT WAS AN ANSWER TO OUR PRAYERS.

I HAD THE MOST TERRIBLE IDEAS OF THINGS THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO HER.

SHE'S A HOUSE DOG, SHE'S NOT USED TO BEING OUT ON HER OWN.

>> I HAVE MY WIFE JULIE AND I HAVE TWO DOGS AT HOME.

THEY'RE TUCKER AND DAISY.

WE HAVE A CAT NAMED FINLEY, WE WOULD BE MORTIFIED IF THEY GOT OUT AND WE WERE UNABLE TO FIND THEM.

>> THE MESSAGE IS SIMPLE.

IF YOU LOVE YOUR PETS, PUT A TAG ON THEIR COLLAR, AND SPEND ANOTHER 10 TO 25 DOLLARS GETTING THEM MICRO CHIPPED.

>> IRONICALLY, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE JUST STARTED IN THE LAST FEW DAYS.

>> KENNY STEVENSON SUPERVISES EDMOND ANIMAL WELFARE.

>> I'VE BEEN HERE FOR 21 YEARS, WE USED TO DO IT THE OLD WAY.

THE NEWER STAFF, YOUNGER STAFF, SOCIAL MEDIA, YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH IT'S CHANGED.

PERCENTAGEWISE, I WOULD SAY IT'S 70 OR 80% OF THE ANIMALS COME INTO OUR FACILITY AND GET REUNITED OVER THE HOLIDAYS WHEN WE'RE CLOSED.

WE STILL ARE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE VIA SOCIAL MEDIA AND THEY GET THEIR ANIMALS BACK.

OKLAHOMA CITY ANIMAL WELL FARE SUPERINTENDENT JOHN GARY SAYS LAST YEAR, OKLAHOMA CITY TOOK IN JUST OVER 14,000 STRAY DOGS, PUPPIES, CATS AND KITTENS.

LESS THAN 2,000 WERE REUNITED WITH THEIR OWNERS.

>> WE KNOW ONCE THEY WALK INTO OUR DOOR.

THE LIKELIHOOD OF THEM GETTING BACK TO THEIR OWNERS IS SMALL.

STATISTICALLY, THEY STAND A BETTER CHANCE OF GETTING BACK TO THEIR OWNERS IF THEY STAY IN THE AREA WHERE THEY ARE FROM.

IF YOU CAN KEEP FLYERS UP BEFORE BEFORE BRINGING THE ANIMAL TO THE SHELTER >> IF YOU LOSE A DOG, TULSA NEIGHBORHOOD WILL GIVE YOU SIGNS TO PUT UP.

>> USUALLY THEY'RE WITHIN A COUPLE MILES OF THEIR HOME.

IF WE'RE USING TOOLS TO CONNECT NEIGHBORS WITH ONE ANOTHER.

IT CAN BE EASIER TO GET THEM REUNITED VERSUS BRINGING THEM 10, 15 MILES AWAY, TO AN ANIMAL SHELTER THAT'S NOT IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> SOCIAL MEDIA IS HOW DILLON CONNECTED WITH HIS TWO DOGS IN TULSA, JUST AFTER THE NEW YEAR.

>> THESE ARE MY DUMB DUMBS.

THEY DECIDED TO DIG OUT OF THE YARD, WHENEVER THE GROUND WAS SOFT.

THEY DUG THEIR WAY OUT.

CHASING A POSSUM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HAVE TO BE BRAVE.

BE BRAVE.

ONE, TWO, THREE.

I KNOW.

>> ALL THREE ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS WE TALKED TO SAY THEY NOW MICRO CHIP ALL PETS BEFORE THEY ADOPT THEM BACK OUT.

>> SIMILAR TO GETTING THE VACCINE.

THERE'S A NEEDLE THAT GOES IN THEY USE TO INSERT THE MICRO CHIP.

IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN THE VACCINES YOUR DOGS GET EVERY YEAR.

>> IT'S VERY SAD.

I CAN IMAGINE THAT COULD HAPPEN.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR DOG IDENTIFIED IN SOME WAY, WITH A TAG OR WITH SOME OTHER WAY, A CHIP, RIGHT?

THERE'S NO WAY TO KNOW WHO THEY BELONG TO.

IT'S A BIG CITY, AND GEOGRAPHICALLY, OKLAHOMA IS VERY LARGE.

AND THEY COULD GO ANYWHERE.

>> HOW IS BABY?

>> HOW IS SHE NOW?

SHE'S SWEET AS CAN BE.

SHE'S WELL, AND SHE IS A HAPPY DOG AGAIN.

>> STEVE SHAW, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> STEVE, THANKS.

>>> THE FIRST MAJOR WINTER STORM OF THE SEASON BRINGING RAIN, SLEET AND ICE AND SNOW TO OKLAHOMA THIS WEEK.

FOR THE MOST PART, EVERYBODY FARED PRETTY WELL.

THERE WERE SPORADIC OUTAGES, BUT NOTHING WIDESPREAD.

SCHOOLS OPTED TO CONTINUE WITH REMOTE LEARNING OR OPTED TO CALL SNOW DAYS.

A MAGNITUDE 4.5 EARTHQUAKE WAS FELT ACROSS MUCH OF OKLAHOMA.

IT WAS CENTERED 30 MILES NORTH OF ENID.

THE QUAKE COULD BE FELT IN ARKANSAS AND KANSAS.

>>> EACH YEAR PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SESSION, IT'S OUR GOAL TO GATHER TOGETHER LEADERS OF BOTH PARTIES TO DISCUSS THE KEY ISSUES, BILLS AND POTENTIAL LAWS THAT WILL BE UP FOR DISCUSSION IN THE COMING MONTHS.

WE WANT TO THANK GREG TREE, CHARLES McCALL, AND KAY FLOYD FOR SHARING THEIR TIME.

>> IT'S ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING TIMES OF THE YEAR.

THE OKLAHOMA STATE LEGISLATURE IS ABOUT TO CONVENE.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK TO THE LEADERS IN BOTH CHAMBERS ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST IN THE UPCOMING SESSION.

I'D LIKE TO WELCOME OUR GUEST WITH US TODAY.

WE HAVE CHARLES MACAU WITH US.

EMILY NURGENT FROM NORMAN.

AND SENATE MINORITY LEADER KAY FLOYD WHO IS A DEMOCRAT FROM OKLAHOMA CITY.

I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> LET'S START OFF WITH AN OVERVIEW QUESTION.

I'LL LET EACH ONE OF YOU ANSWER WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU.

BUT WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES FOR THIS UPCOMING SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE.

SPEAKER McCULLOUGH LET'S BEGIN WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SUSAN, GREAT TO BE WITH YOU AND MY COLLEAGUES TODAY.

THIS SESSION I THINK IS GOING TO BE A VERY INTERESTING SESSION.

COMING OFF THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE SESSION WE SAW IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THERE'S FEWER BILLS FILED IN THE HOUSE THIS YEAR THAN LAST YEAR.

WHICH IS INDICATIVE OF WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED LAST YEAR.

I THINK WHAT YOU'LL SEE IN THE HOUSE THIS YEAR AMONG HOUSE REPUBLICANS BEING FOCUSED ON FIRST OF ALL CONTINUING OFF OF 1236 LAST YEAR WAS THE MOST ENTHUSIASTIC BILL FROM HOUSE REPUBLICANS REGARDING JUST INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS AND LIBERTIES.

AND STATES RIGHTS AND THE TENTH AMENDMENT OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.

WE'LL BE TAKING A LOOK AT THE MARIJUANA REGULATION.

THE BRANCH HAS BEEN SLOW TO STAND UP TO THE ENFORCEMENT PIECE OF THE GROVE FACILITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

WE HAVE BAD ACTORS IN THE STATE, AND POOR NEIGHBORS OUT IN THE RURAL COUNTIES THAT PEOPLE ARE DEMANDING SOME TYPE OF ENFORCEMENT AND REGULATION IN THOSE AREAS.

YOU'LL SEE ELECTION INTEGRITY LOOKED AT THIS YEAR, TO MAKE SURE OKLAHOMA IS AMONG THE BEST STATES IN THE UNION.

WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AGAIN WHILE WE'RE IN SESSION THIS YEAR.

REVIEWING THAT.

I THINK THE BUDGET OBVIOUSLY WILL BE A HIGHLIGHT AND A GREAT OPPORTUNITY THIS YEAR FOR THE STATE AND LOCAL.

RETURNING TO THE HIGHEST STATE REVENUES, STATE HISTORY.

AND I THINK YOU'LL SEE US FOCUS ON INCREASED PAY FOR THE OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY PATROL WHICH HAS NOT BEEN ADJUSTED IN SEVEN YEARS, WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY OF OUR STATE ABOUT I THINK YOU'LL SEE MORE CONCERN OVER -- AND EMPHASIS ON TAX CUTS THIS YEAR.

WE STARTED THAT CONVERSATION LAST YEAR IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, I'M GLAD TO SEE ADDITIONAL PIECES OF LEGISLATION IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE THIS YEAR, ON THAT TOPIC.

I THINK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS ALWAYS THE FOCUS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

WE HAVE A REALLY SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY TO ATTRACT NEW INDUSTRIES IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

AND IT'S GOING TO -- WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE HIGHER EDUCATION IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE A PART OF THAT.

IT GIVES ME -- I THINK THOSE WILL BE GOOD THINGS YOU WOULD SEE IN GENERAL.

SOME OF THE HIGHER POINTS FROM THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS.

>> I WANTED TO.

JUST A FEW, BUT YOU KNOW, IN THE BIG PICTURE.

THAT IS JUST A FEW.

REPRESENTATIVE VIRGIN DO YOUR PRIORITIES MATCH YOUR COLLEAGUES?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

THE SPEAKER WANTS ME TO SAY DITTO TO WHAT HE SAID.

I THINK WE'LL FIND SOME OVERLAP, I THINK THAT WITH THE FITNESS COOL POSITION THAT WE FIND OURSELVES IN, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN OKLAHOMANS, AND SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO FINDING WAYS TO DO THAT IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER.

FOR THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS, WE WANT TO CONTINUE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, WE KNOW THAT SOME OF THE PROGRESS IN THAT AREA HAS STALLED IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS, AND SO ESPECIALLY WITH THE FISCAL POSITION WE FIND OURSELVES IN, WE HAVE A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE AWAY FROM A FINE AND FEE BASED SYSTEM, AND TO A SYSTEM THAT IS FUNDED BY GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS.

WE THINK THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO STOP THAT REVOLVING DOOR THAT A LOT OF FOLKS FIND THEMSELVES IN WHEN THEY INTERACT WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

I THINK THE TAXES ARE GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT WE TALK ABOUT A LOT.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING FOR A WHILE NOW ABOUT HOW OKLAHOMA IS ONE OF JUST A FEW STATES NOW THAT FULLY TAXES GROCERIES WITH THE SALES TAX, AND SO WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO FINDING COMMON GROUND ON PROVIDING EVERY DAY OKLAHOMANS WITH SOME TAX RELIEF.

IT'S JUST A FEW OF OUR PRIORITIES.

BUT I KNOW THAT WITH ANY LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THINGS EVOLVE DURING THE SESSION.

SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER.

>> SENATOR TREAT, I WANT TO COME TO YOU.

DO YOUR PRIORITIES LINE UP WITH WHAT YOUR CONTEMPORARY IN THE HOUSE ALREADY SPOKE ABOUT?

>> YEAH.

A LOT OF PRIORITIES ARE SHARED WITH THE SPEAKER.

FRANKLY, SOME SHARED PRIORITIES WITH THE MINORITY LEADER AS WELL IN THE HOUSE.

LOOK FORWARD TO THIS SESSION.

I THINK THE BIGGEST THING WE HAVE TO DO EVERY YEAR IS PASS THE BUDGET.

LAST YEAR WE SPENT LESS THAN THE BOARD OF EDUCATION SAID WE COULD SPEND.

WE CAN SPEND 95% OF WHAT THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION SAYS WE CAN SPEND.

LAST YEAR WE WELL UNDERPERFORMED THAT, OR OUTPERFORMED THAT, AND SPENT LESS THAN THE 95%.

AND I ANTICIPATE YOU'LL SEE US DO THAT THIS YEAR, OF BEING GOOD FISCAL STEWARDS OF THE TAXPAYER'S MONEY.

THERE'S TAX RELIEF WE CAN PROVIDE.

I FILED A BILL ON GROCERY SALES TAX.

WE HAD SOME MONDAY UCHLTAL REFORM, OPEN TRANSFER, AND YOU'LL SEE ME CONTINUE TO TRY TO PUSH THAT, TO PUT PARENTS IN CONTROL OF EDUCATION.

AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

WE HAVE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES.

YOU'LL SEE US FOCUS ON TRYING TO INCREASE OKLAHOMA'S WORKFORCE.

>> SENATOR FLOYD, WHEN I COME TO YOU, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE HEARING SO FAR, AS FAR AS THE PRIORITIES, AND WHICH ONES DO YOU THINK ARE GOING TO HAVE THE MOST EASY FLOWING WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, AND WHICH DO YOU THINK COULD BECOME MORE CONTENTIOUS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, SUSAN.

AND IF I HAD A CRYSTAL BALL, I'D BE A LOT BETTER AT MY JOB THAN I AM.

SO I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN ANSWER ALL OF THAT QUESTION, I SEE SOME SIMILARITIES TO ISSUES AND PATHWAYS FOR US TO OPEN TOGETHER.

THE PATHWAY, WHEN WE DO DISAGREE WE TRY TO KEEP IT AS CIVIL AS POSSIBLE.

SOMETHING I THINK WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE WORKING TOWARD IS INFRASTRUCTURE.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY MENTIONED THAT, THAT'S ONE OF MY PRIORITIES IN MY CAUCUS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF MONEY COMING IN FROM THE RESCUE ACT PLAN, AND SO THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN OUR STATE HAS BEEN IN NEED OF MAINTENANCE FOR TWO DECADES.

THAT'S A PRIORITY TO MY CAUCUS, TO MAKE SURE THAT THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE STATE HAS THE SUPPORT IT NEEDS TO MAKE EDUCATION IS A HUGE ISSUE.

WEEN WATT TO SEE PUBLIC DOLLARS GO TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THAT MAY BE SOMETHING THAT IS A LITTLE TRICKIER TO GET THE MAJORITY ON BOARD WITH, BUT WE CONTINUE TO TRY, AND THE PANDEMIC, NO ONE'S MENTIONED THAT, BUT IT CONTINUES TO BE A HUGE ISSUE.

GLOBALLY, NATIONWIDE AND IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

IT DIDN'T GO AWAY THE FIRST YEAR, IT DIDN'T GO AWAY THE SECOND YEAR, AND WE JUST STARTED THE THIRD YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CONTINUE THAT UNTIL THE STATE GETS THROUGH IT.

THOSE WOULD PROBABLY BE THE TOP THREE.

WE ALSO ARE VERY INTERESTED IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND GOING DOWN THAT PATH.

>> AS WE LOOKED AT THE GOVERNOR CALLING ON STATE EMPLOYEES TO SERVICE SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS, THAT HAS TO BE ONE OF THE MORE PRESSING ISSUES FACING ALL OF YOU I WANT TO COME TO YOU ON THIS ONE.

EVERYONE AGREES WE WANT MORE TEACHERS AND WELL PAID.

THE TRICK IS HOW TO GET THERE, WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING IN THE EDUCATION FUNDING ARENA?

>> WE JUST CAME OFF LAST YEAR'S BUDGET, IT WAS A RECORD HIGH YEAR FOR EDUCATION FUNDING.

OUR CAUCUS WILL BEGIN, THE LEGISLATURE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT AREAS THAT ADDITIONAL FUNDING CAN HELP CHANGE EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR OUR STUDENTS.

WE'LL LOOK TO ENSURE THAT TEACHER PAY IN THIS REGION IS COMPETITIVE AND WE DON'T SLIP DOWN TO THE BOTTOM HALF OF OUR REGIONAL COUNTERPARTS.

BUT IT'S -- OBVIOUSLY, EDUCATION IS VERY IMPORTANT.

IT'S ONE OF THE LARGEST SPEND WE HAVE, IT'S THE LARGEST SPEND IN THE APPROPRIATED BUDGET YEAR AFTER YEAR FOR THE STATE.

AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE SO.

>> ARE YOU IN FAVOR -- HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE EDUCATION FUNDED.

IF IT WAS FUNDED HEAVILY LAST YEAR, WHAT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE.

HAVE THEY NOT RECEIVED THE MONEY TO PAY TEACHERS WELL, TO OUTFIT THE SCHOOLS TO ACCOMMODATE COVID PRECAUTIONS?

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST ISSUE WE'RE SEEING, OF COURSE, IS THE TEACHER SHORTAGE RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S THE MOST ACUTE ISSUE THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS.

THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ADDRESS VERY QUICKLY, THOUGH.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REVAMP AND REVITALIZE THE TEACHER PIPELINE TO MAKE SURE THAT STUDENTS ARE CHOOSING EDUCATION AS A CAREER.

AND PAY IS ABSOLUTELY A PART OF THAT.

PAY, BENEFITS, THE VALUE THAT OUR SOCIETY PLACES ON EDUCATORS.

SO I THINK THAT WORKING WITH THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT, AND ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE PAY OUR TEACHERS WHAT THEY DESERVE.

AND THAT THEIR PAY REFLECTS THE ACTUAL WORK LOAD THAT THEY'RE SEEING >> I WANT TO ASK YOU, THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR, IS THAT GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT AS FAR AS YOU'RE CONCERNED ON THE PROCESS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE THIS YEAR.

>> WELL, IT HAS AN IMPACT EVERY YEAR, WHEN FILING IS IN APRIL, AND YOU SEE PEOPLE FLOOD INTO THE BUILDING TO FILE INCUMBENTS OR CHALLENGERS OR NEW SEATS.

IT'S SOMETHING ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT AT THE CAPITOL.

WE'RE LASER FOCUSED TO MEET OKLAHOMANS NEEDS.

THE POLICY ISN'T GOING TO CHANGE, BUT THE ATMOSPHERE WILL CHANGE DRASTICALLY ONCE APRIL ROLES AROUND.

>> I WANT TO COME TO YOU WITH THIS NEXT QUESTION, IT'S APROPOS IT'S GOING TO YOU.

HOW WILL THE GOVERNOR'S AGENDA IMPACT THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA THIS YEAR?

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH ARE CO EQUAL PARTS OF THE GOVERNMENT.

I HAVEN'T SEEN A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S POSITION IS GOING TO BE AS FAR AS DETAILS OF THE STATE OF THE STATE.

I KNOW IN THE PAST THERE HAVE BEEN SOME THINGS WE CAN SUPPORT, SOME CAUCUSES, THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF THINGS WE COULDN'T.

THERE'S A PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCE ON THE ISSUES, BETWEEN MY CAUCUS AND OUR GOVERNOR, I THINK WE TRY TO KEEP IT AS CIVILIZED AS POSSIBLE.

BUT THERE ARE GOING TO BE ISSUES THAT WE ARE AT ODDS WITH, I DON'T THINK THAT'S JUST MY CAUCUS.

I THINK WE'VE SEEN THAT WITH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING THE STATE OF THE STATE.

I HOPE WE CAN GET IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNOR.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT.

WE'RE HAMSTRINGING OURSELVES.

WHAT IS GETTING COVID UNDER CONTROL LOOK LIKE >> I THINK PEOPLE ARE PREPARED TO MOVE FORWARD.

A LARGE PART OF OUR POPULATION IS VACCINATED.

WE'VE SEEN BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN THROUGH THREE ROUNDS OF THIS NOW.

THEY KNOW HOW TO OPERATE IN THAT ENVIRONMENT.

PEOPLE IN THE STATE KNOW WHAT THE RISKS ARE, THEY'VE BEEN EDUCATED.

PEOPLE WANT TO GET OFTEN WITH THEIR LIVES.

WE WILL MOVE FORWARD IN THE SAFEST POSSIBLE WAY WE CAN.

>> REPRESENTATIVE VIRGIN, ARE YOU IN STEP WITH THAT THOUGHT?

HAS OKLAHOMA DONE ENOUGH?

>> I THINK THE PANDEMIC IN OKLAHOMA AS WE SIT HERE TODAY, WE'RE STILL SEEING HIGH CASE COUNTS AND WE'RE SEEING NUMBERS OF DEATHS THAT I THINK SHOULD DISTURB EVERYONE.

SO I THINK FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE AT THE CAPITOL, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE CAN DO IS COMMUNICATE WITH THE PUBLIC.

COMMUNICATE WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS ABOUT WHAT THEY CAN BE DOING IN TERMS OF GETTING THE PANDEMIC UNDER CONTROL.

HAVING EFFECTIVE AND CLEAR MESSAGING ON VACCINATION PRIMARILY ENCOURAGING FOLKS TO GET THOSE BOOSTERS THAT WE KNOW ARE IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW.

I THINK THAT ALONG WITH LEGISLATION.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE CAN DO IS BE LEADERS IN TERMS OF PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SENATOR TREAT, I DO WANT TO COME TO YOU ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

IT'S BEEN BROUGHT UP SEVERAL TIMES.

SOME EMPLOYERS SAY THEY ARE HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES FOR POSITIONS THEY HAVE.

WE STILL SEE A LOT OF HELP WANTED SIGNS OUT.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING AS THE CAUSE FOR THIS AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT.

>> I'VE SEEN A NUMBER OF THEORIES, I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE KNOWS THE EXACT TRUTH ON WHERE UNEMPLOYMENT COMES FROM.

IF YOU READ THE INTERNET, YOU CAN SOLVE IT IN ABOUT AN HOUR.

IF YOU TALK TO EMPLOYERS, THE PROBLEMS ARE MANY.

I DON'T DISAGREE WITH YOUR QUESTION, I THINK NEARLY EVERY EMPLOYER IS STRUGGLING WITH THIS, WHEN I TRAVEL AND VISIT WITH BUSINESS PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT AND AROUND THE STATE.

THERE'S NOT JUST HELP WANTED SIGNS ON YOUR FAST FOOD CHAINS, ALSO AT MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE ER.

WE WERE JUST AT CHILDREN'S WITH MY DAUGHTER LAST WEEK WITH THE FLU, AND WHEN I WALKED OUT AND SAW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE WAITING TO GET CARE FOR THEIR KIDS, THERE'S A REAL SHORTAGE IN NURSING.

YOU CAN LOOK AT THAT.

THERE ARE DISCERNIBLE ISSUES THERE, PLACES LIKE TEXAS AND OTHER STATES AROUND US ARE PAYING UPWARDS OF $200 AN HOUR FOR NURSES TO COME.

THERE ARE ISSUES, I DON'T KNOW IF I FULLY UNDERSTAND ALL OF THEM, WE'RE TRYING TO DIG INTO THEM AND ADDRESS THEM, WHILE STILL RECRUITING MORE EMPLOYERS TO THE STATE.

AND HOPEFULLY THAT WILL RECRUIT MORE OKLAHOMANS.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT SITUATION FOR EMPLOYERS IN OKLAHOMA.

AND WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE DONE FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

>> IT'S VERY COMPLICATED.

IT'S A COMPLICATED ISSUE.

I THINK WE'RE SEEING SOME RELATIONS THAT ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO COVID.

I HAVE A NEEGS THAT'S A NURSE, A NIECE THAT'S A TEACHER.

BOTH OF THEM ARE SEEING DECREASING NUMBERS IN THEIR COLLEAGUES BECAUSE THEY'RE WARN OUT, AND THEY'RE QUESTIONING IF THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S TRUE ACROSS THE BOARD.

I THINK IT IS COMPLICATED.

IN SOME OF THE AREAS WE'RE HAVING WORK SHORTAGES BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE MAKING DIFFERENT DECISIONS IN WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

SOME PEOPLE GO BACK TO SCHOOL.

SOME PEOPLE WANT TO GO TO A NEW CAREER.

I CAN TELL YOU FROM A WORKPLACE STANDPOINT, WE KNOW FROM HISTORY THAT THE MORE WORKFORCE THAT WE CAN GENERATE, THE BETTER IT IS FOR THE WORKPLACE.

WE'VE ALWAYS SUPPORTED VO-TECH AND CAREER TECH SCHOOLS.

THAT'S ONE WAY WE CAN PLUG ONE OF THE HOLES, BY MAKING EDUCATION MORE AVAILABLE, TRAINING MORE AVAILABLE SO WE CAN GET THESE WORKERS TRAINED AND BACK OUT INTO THE WORKFORCE.

NOW, WITH NURSING AND EDUCATION, FOR TEACHERS, IT'S DIFFERENT.

THOSE ARE FOUR-YEAR PROGRAMS.

ANYTHING WE DO NOW.

THE BENEFITS ARE GOING TO BE DOWN THE LINE.

IT'S VERY COMPLICATED.

>> I COULD DIG INTO THAT WITH SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES HERE, BUT WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR THIS SNEAK PEEK.

AND WISH YOU ALL WELL THAT BEGINS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL ON MONDAY.

THANK YOU ALL.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AGAIN, SUSAN AND GUESTS, THANK YOU.

>>> EARLIER IN THIS PROGRAM, WE TALKED ABOUT RENEWABLE GEOTHERMAL ENERGY IN OKLAHOMA.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE YOU TO WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA WHERE A TRIO OF SOURCES ARE HELPING FUEL A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT IN THE TARHEEL STATE.

>> IAN BAILEY IS IN CHARGE OF THE VEHICLE FLEET.

>> AND THAT'S THE QUICK CONNECT THAT ATTACHES TO.

>> HE GOT 10 NEW VEHICLES IN 2019, HE NOT ONLY SAW AN ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT, BUT IT ALSO SAVED THE COLLEGE MONEY.

>> WHEN GAS PRICES GET HIGH AND COMPETITIVE, WE SEE THAT $3.50, $4 A GALLON.

I SOMETIMES PAY LESS THAN $2 A GALLON FOR PROPANE.

>> THE PROGRAM HELPS VEHICLE FLEETS SAVE ENERGY AND PROMOTE THE USE OF DOMESTIC FUELS IN ADVANCE VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF EXCITEMENT THERE.

WE'RE LOOKING INTO DIESEL AND BIOGAS.

>> THE CITY PARTNERS WITH HENDERSONVILLE AND HENDERSON COUNTY.

THEY'VE BOTH BEEN OUTFITTED TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GASES >> MEASURING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, WE CUT 8,000 METRIC TONS OF EMISSIONS IN THE AIR, WHICH IS THE EQUIVALENT OF ABOUT 1800 VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD A DAY.

>> THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF PERMA CULTURE GARDENING.

>> THEY'RE EMPHASIS CAN BE SEEN.

>> A NUMBER OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE BUILDING.

>> THOSE THINGS PUTTING IN SOLAR PANELS WHERE WE ARE MAKING CLEAN ENERGY.

THOSE TO ME ARE WIN/WIN SITUATIONS ALL THE WAY AROUND.

>> THE BUILDING USES A GEOTHERMAL COOLING SYSTEM.

>> WE SEE AND IDENTIFY PLACES, WE CAN MAKE IMPROVEMENTS ALL THE TIME.

IT'S ALWAYS A CHALLENGE TO FIND FUNDING WE DIRECT TO THOSE THINGS.

WE CAN FIND THOSE, HOW WE USE THE FINANCES WE HAVE TO IMPLEMENT THINGS TO IMPROVE A SUSTAINABILITY STANCE.

>> HE'S SLOWLY UPGRADING HIS VEHICLES OVERTIME.

AND LOOKS FORWARD TO MORE RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY WHICH WILL MAKE THIS MANAGEABLE.

>> WE'RE STARTING TO REALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH WORK, AND ALTERNATIVE FUELS AND ELECTRIFICATION.

AND I THINK THE FACT THAT WE'RE FINALLY AS A NATION EMBRACING THAT, MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.

>>> ON THE NEXT ONE HOUR EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

IT'S A CRUEL DISEASE THAT IMPACTS THOUSANDS OF OKLAHOMA FAMILIES EVERY YEAR.

ALZHEIMER'S ROBS THE ELDERLY OF THEIR ABILITIES TO FUNCTION.

AND SONS AND DAUGHTERS ARE LEFT TO PICK UP THE PIECES.

ARE THERE NEW TREATMENTS THAT CAN OFFER HOPE?

AN INDEPTH DISCUSSION YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THE SERENE AFTERMATH -- FOR ALL OF US HERE ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, I'M RICH LENZ, STAY SAFE, STAY WARM, AND AS ALWAYS, STAY TUNED TO OETA.