2025
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LEGISLATIVE DIRECTORY
SENATE HOUSE
DISTRICT 25
Senator Brian Guthrie
405.521.5675
FEDERAL
Representative Kevin Hern 918.935.3222
Senator James Lankford 918.581.7651
Senator Markwayne Mullin 918.748.5111
STATE
GOVERNOR
The Honorable J. Kevin Sitt
governor.ok.gov 405.521.2342
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
The Honorable Matt Pinnell oklahoma.gov/ltgovmattpinnell 405.521.2161
DISTRICT 16
Representative Scott Fetgatter 405.557.7373
DISTRICT 24
Representative Chris Banning 405.557.7306
DISTRICT 67
Representative Rob Hall 405.557.7341
DISTRICT 69
Representative Mark Tedford 405.557.7331
DISTRICT 80
Representative Stan May 405.557.7338
COUNTY
DISTRICT 3
Tulsa County Commissioner
Kelly Dunkerley 918.596.5010
CITY OF BIXBY
MAYOR - Ward 4
Brad Girard ward4@bixbyok.gov
VICE MAYOR - Ward 1
Robert Founds ward1@bixbyok.gov
COUNCILOR - Ward 3
Ken Hirshey ward3@bixbyok.gov
COUNCILOR - Ward 5
Bobby Schultz ward5@bixbyok.gov
Ward 2
Election April 2025
TO OUR MEMBERS
The 2025 Legislative Agenda is formed by our Government Affairs Committee, along with input from our membership throughout the year, and communicates the Bixby Chamber’s positions on issues at the local, state, and federal levels of government.
2025 OKLAHOMA LEGISLATIVE DEADLINES
First Day of the First Regular Session of the 59th Legislature
Monday, February 3, 2025
Deadline for HBs/HJRs out of Committee
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Deadline for Third Reading of Bills and Joint Resolutions in Chamber of Origin
Thursday, March 13, 2025
Deadline for SBs/SJRs out of Standing Committee (exception for SBs/SJRs in full A&B Committee)
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Deadline for Third Reading of Bills and Joint Resolutions from Opposite Chamber
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Sine Die Adjournment
Friday, May 30, 2025 NLT 5:00 pm
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS BENEFACTORS
STATE ISSUES
STATE LEVEL TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
Support increased funding and staffing to bring Oklahoma public facing websites and customer service into the 21st century, improving access for all citizens and businesses and streamlining processes, decreasing fraud, decreasing wait times, and improving messaging while reducing long-term costs to the state. Specifically, improvements are urgently needed in business permitting processes, the employment security commission, department of public safety, election security, tax commission, and the ABLE commission. Additional focus is needed on network security to prevent costly and time-consuming data breaches.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES
Support tax credits, exemptions and incentives that provide an economic return to the state of Oklahoma, maintain competitiveness in business attraction and retention, and increase capital investment.
TRANSPORTATION
Support inclusion of high-priority Bixby area projects in the Oklahoma Department of Transportation 8-year plan including the addition to the 8-year plan of expanding Highway 64 from 111th to 151st to six lanes, with additional lanes for the Arkansas River bridge.
Support improvement of curve at SH 64 (Memorial Drive) & 171st; support placement back into ODOT 8 Year Plan.
Support completion of median projects on South Memorial Drive.
Support creation of an additional South County Arkansas River vehicle crossing.
FUND APPROPRIATION
Support efforts to reduce the amount of dedicated funds in order to increase pool of appropriated funds available to the legislature.
WORKFORCE BARRIERS
Increase state funding for District Attorneys, provide transparency of their budgets, and cap court fees to reduce the creation of an unethical burden to defendants when they try and enter the workforce.
QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS
Support avenues to increase access to quality education for all Oklahoma students without jeopardizing the viability of our public schools. Support local control of education through locally elected school boards. The following support for
Funding & Revenue Streams:
Protect existing revenue
Increase per-pupil funding to be regionally competitive
Formulate a sustainable, long-term plan schools can count on
Investment into the State Formula allowing the district to: Increase salary scales for support staff
Lower class sizes across all grade levels (where capacity allows)
Added programming for students
Modernize graduation requirements to better allow students to be best prepared for their post-secondary paths.
FEDERAL ISSUES
SOCIAL SECURITY
Support efforts to form bipartisan group to analyze Social Security adjustments and future viability, ensuring that the social security trust fund has long term stability.
REFORM FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID
Support the reform of federal financial aid eligibility to improve access to higher education for all Americans. This should include:
a) Increasing funding for the Pell Grant program and oppose attempts to cap per-student grants as well as reduce hours required to receive Pell Grant which will open opportunities for education;
b) Improve FAFSA outreach and education;
c) Allow short-term, industry-driven training programs such as provided by career tech programs to qualify for federal financial aid;
d) expand opportunities for refinancing of federal student loans within federal programs;
e) Expand student loan forgiveness programs, particularly for graduates in high-demand occupations with workforce shortages, and without losing forgiveness opportunities for those that re-finance their loans.
IMMIGRATION REFORM
Support comprehensive immigration reform that enables the U.S. to attract the best and brightest talent from around the world. Steps should be taken to secure borders and establish reasonable, affordable and efficient visa policies that empower American businesses to hire essential workers and remove barriers for top talent to work in the U.S. Immediate steps should be taken to address workforce shortages by lowering application fees, eliminating the lottery-selection process in favor of a needs-based system, streamlining visa renewal processes and create pathways to citizenship for visa holders that maintain long-term employment and no justice system involvement. Oppose further legislation related to immigration reform that would inhibit businesses from having access to much needed workforce.
SUPPORT FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
Support a comprehensive federal infrastructure funding package that includes roads, bridges, highways, broadband, and hydrogen technology, and fully fund authorized federal transportation programs. The economic success of our region and country relies upon the strength of a complete transportation infrastructure.
FEDERAL ISSUES
SMALL EMPLOYER HEALTH CARE CONCERNS
Support health care reforms at the state and federal level which will enable small businesses to keep health insurance premium costs down and increase the number of insured employees.
Minimize the regulatory burden on small and medium employers under the Affordable Care Act and support efforts to reduce these employers’ cost of supplying health care. This should include eliminating 1094 and 1095 reporting requirements by employers.
Support health insurance companies continuing to cover pre-existing conditions and being able to engage in interstate commerce. Support additional coverage for life sustaining medications and therapies and expansion for vision and dental services that are so important for long term health.
MARIJUANA LEGISLATION
Create federal rules to support states that have legalized marijuana use or enact federal legislation to streamline usage and possession laws and regulations.
BUSINESS FIRST
To ensure that our business community has a voice in local and county wide decisions that a ect business recruitment, retention, and improvement.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENT
Support improvements in MyGov permitting process for clarity and ease of use. Ensure network of City of Bixby is fully secure and protected from cyber attacks and failures.
INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS
Provide appropriate infrastructure prior to construction, especially in areas that are known to be zoned or planned for development.
DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
Ensure that all future development does not inhibit primary jobs from having access to property.
MARKETING
Utilize all available partners to market Bixby. Establish working group that partners together to market various aspects of Bixby in strategic ways that work within the strengths of each entity. Support funding specifically for marketing of Bixby to the public, developers, and travelers.
LOCAL INCENTIVES
Diversify local incentives focusing on incentives for businesses locating in Bixby in addition to developers.
HOUSING STUDY
Recommend completion of an independent study of housing inventory and what is needed based on comprehensive plan feedback, diversity of housing needs, market-based needs, and goals for developer recruitment.
SCHOOL BOARD SUPPORT
Protect local control for Bixby Public Schools while ensuring future workforce preperation is being held in high regard.
MARIJUANA REGULATIONS
Protect local businesses and citizens by ensuring all legal marijuana-based businesses are following state and local ordinances and not impacting others with their presence or odor.
