Like for many of you, the historic winter weather we’ve faced this past week changed our plans at the Capitol. Due to hazardous road conditions, the Senate was closed Monday through Wednesday. We resumed our official business on Thursday and Friday and worked quickly to hear as many bills in our committees as possible. The deadline to consider these measures is Feb. 25.

In under one month, the Biden Administration has revealed their partisan agenda, namely, appeasing socialist Democrats. At this critical point when our country is in dire need of economic recovery, the far-Left has decided the solution is to skyrocket the minimum wage to a federally-mandated $15 per hour.

Southeast Oklahoma residents are presently living through the coldest days ever recorded for this time of the year. You know it’s incredibly cold outside when not a single child can be seen outdoors at 11 a.m.

It’s been a busy, yet productive second week of session here at the Capitol. We’ve been working hard in our committees to hear bills ahead of the Feb. 25 committee deadline, and I’m pleased to share that my first bill, Senate Bill 312, was passed out of the Public Safety Committee in a 9-1 vote on Monday. The measure would crack down on those stealing the identity of a child, and it now awaits a hearing in front of the full Senate for further consideration.

Last week I visited one on my favorite hangouts, our local barber shop. The barber shop has always been a place of political discussion where many views and opinions are shared. No question, the majority has always been heavily Democrat, yet they have always been tolerant of my Republican stance. It is sad that in the last few years our political discussions have become limited due to the hostility of people on both sides of the political aisle.

Choctaw Country Markets will soon provide online ordering with curbside pick up. To reach the Boswell Market for more information, call 580.566.2609.

My father began writing this column called “To The Point” about the time I was born. Let’s just say more than 65 years ago.

It’s almost surreal that the First Session of the 58th Legislature has begun. When I began the journey to become your state Senator, this day seemed far away, but now here we are. It truly is a privilege to serve, and I don’t take this honor lightly.

“Donald Trump should NEVER be allowed to hold public office again. Convicting him disqualifies him from running any future races.

This is not a good forecast I’ll bring you for the next week, as we are going to see off and on precipitation in all forms. Snow and sleet, along with rain and freezing rain will be possible from day-to-day, so keep up with the forecast closely as temperatures will be cold enough for slick roads at times.