Weekly wrap

7th week of season

By Rep. JAMES LOCKHART
This week started off with my family loading up and coming to Oklahoma City with me. My wife and kids were out on spring break and so we headed out Sunday afternoon to Oklahoma City.  

The Oklahoma Youth expo was going on and Hope entered her goat in the show. Several LeFlore County families make the trip to OYE each year. Many of our local students did really well with their animals.

The show had over 16,000 animals entered and brings in several million to the Oklahoma City area.

This was the first year I was able to participate in the legislative livestock show with Hope and her goat. Governor Fallin stopped by and I was able to get a picture with Hope, the governor and ‘Red’ the goat.  This is one photo that I will always remember. ‘Red’ the goat was an orphan we raised on a bottle.

The work at the Capitol was slow this week because the senate bills have to be assigned to the various committees and it takes our staff a while to get it all sorted out.

On Friday, I attended a meeting in Hugo with county commissioner Lance Smith. One interesting topic discussed was  beetle credits– apparently county CED districts and ODOT are having to purchase tax credits for endangered species habitat. This was something I haven’t heard of before and I am trying to find out more. The Lock and Dam road near Fort Coffee was approved for repairs this summer at the meeting in Hugo.

Recently, I visited with officials from ODOT about all the potholes. The road crews have spread several tons of patch material trying to get caught up. These road crews have put in a lot of hours lately, plowing snow and ice 24 hours a day, now trying to repair the damage done by the winter weather.

The ODOT road crews have the highest on the job fatality rate of any state agency, so slow down when you see a road crew out working. They have families that need them to come home safe.

It is an honor to serve the people of LeFlore County. What we do in the State Capitol matters, it affects lives and oftentimes it changes the fabric of our society. If you ever have an issue or need help with something, my office number is 405-557-7413, my email is [email protected], my home number is 918-653-7571, or you can find me on Facebook. My door is always open and your voice is always heard.

Like the Heavener Ledger on Facebook HERE or follow us on Twitter HERE. 

Subscribe to the Ledger