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This Week at the Capitol
commentary
March 14, 2024
This Week at the Capitol
By State Rep. Randy Randleman (405) 557-7375 randy.randleman@okhouse.gov

It has been a while since I have made a note to address the issues going on at the State Capitol.

I want you to know that it is a privilege to serve House District 15 and the people of all five counties it represents.

While I have undergone and survived cancer, a bone marrow transplant, shingles and five bypasses within the last three years, we have accomplished many tasks, which I’ll highlight in just a moment.

I am thankful to report that today and I am doing well and feeling healthy. However, my wife Jennifer is experiencing health problems. She recently had surgery, which was partially successful, but she is having problems with another vertebrae and is going to require other surgeries or medical procedures.

Since my election to the House in 2018 and my later health concerns, Jennifer has taken on about a third of our businesses, which have been established for over 15 years. All three practices are still open today due to Jennfier’s ability to manage and me working every minute I am not at the Capitol.

As a result of this, I am announcing that I will not be running for reelection later this year. I truly believe that God comes first, our family second, and then our businesses and public service come third.

Instead, I will once again take up a lot of the work that Jennifer has been doing and assisting school-based services and mental health clinic. I have worked in over 150 public schools and 100 head start centers throughout Oklahoma, and I will again work in many of the entities to keep our business and our family healthy.

This move will also allow me to enjoy time with my wife, children and grandchildren, which I’m very much looking forward to. We have been praying about this decision for quite some time, and I discussed this possibility with the Speaker of the House last summer and again in December.

While at the State Capitol, one of my biggest accomplishments has been establishing an adolescent crisis center in McAlester to serve the southeast corner of the state.

Currently, I am working on an adolescent psychiatric hospital for our area, which would have 20-26 beds for adolescents who are having mental or psychological problems. So far I have gathered over $2.8 million and it will require $1.5 million more. This was one of my main goals when I was elected to District 15.

In addition, I have secured $5 million for a new hospital in McIntosh County. I am now working on critical access, which results in the federal government reimbursing services at 101%. This indicates that this hospital will not close down if managed appropriately.

I have written and passed the following bills for the state of Oklahoma: In 2019, I authored HB2195, which dealt with licensing requirements for the Psychologists Licensing Act. I also assisted with the passage of HB1057, HB1074, HB1075, HB2339, HB2632, HB2640, SB456 and SB457.

In 2020, while working through the pandemic, I helped pass HB2905, HB3400 and HB3967.

The next year, I authored HB2223, which directed the State Dept. of Education to maintain the dyslexia handbook. I also worked on HB1246, HB1568, HB2396, HB2770, SB21, SB229, SB619 and SB631.

In 2022, I authored HB3261, which designated the American Quarter Horse as the state horse of Oklahoma, and SB626, which dealt with mental health student records to school. I also worked with HB3073, HB3658, SB1337 and SB1396.

Last year, I carried HB1041, which dealt with the school athletic association to establish a new category of competition and was signed into law. I also assisted with the passage of HB1504, SB100 and SB513.

I want to thank everyone who has been supportive of me throughout the past six years. There are special people in all five counties of House District 15, and it has been a pleasure working for you.

Again, I am very thankful. I wanted to let you know my plans. I hope that you will keep praying for our family.

Rep. Randy Randleman, a Republican, represents House District 15 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Haskell County and portions of McIntosh, Muskogee, Le Flore and Pittsburg counties.

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