LEGISLATIVE COLUMN Wildfires Devastate Much of State

By Rep John George

Wildfires combined with very strong winds starting last Friday have left four dead, about 200 injured, and as many as 400 homes damaged or completely destroyed throughout Oklahoma. That’s not even ounting barns and other structures. Estimates on Tuesday morning were that about 179,000 acres in the state had burned, and the fire risk is continuing through at least early next week.

In House District 36, we undoubtedly have some families impacted. The Hickory Hills Fire near Luther has burned more than 6,600 acres as of this writing. Cleveland and Oklahoma counties are part of a 12-county emergency declaration area by the governor. The attorney general has put the Emergency Price Stabilization Act in effect to avoid price gouging.

If you suffered damage, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management has a long list of potential resources to help. The Oklahoma Insurance Department also is offering assistance. As in any disaster, be on the lookout for fraudulent contractors and others who would seek to take advantage of people in a vulnerable situation. To report suspected fraud, call the AG’s Consumer Protection Hotline: (833) 681-1895.

Oklahomans are really good to help their neighbors in situations such as these. For that I’m grateful. We have to keep an eye out for each other. Thanks also to the firefighters and first responders who are helping in this.

On a much brighter note, I participated in the Legislative Showmanship contest as part of the Oklahoma Youth Expo this week at State Fair Arena. Each year, legislators and other statewide officials are paired with youth from their district 4-H and FFA chapters to show the animals they’ve raised. This year, I showed a hog for Shea Curtis of Luther FFA. This turned out to be quite a dirty job, but it was a lot of fun and for a good cause.

The money raised through this event goes toward scholarships for the youth participants in OYE, which is the world’s largest junior livestock show. More than 7,000 youth ages eight to 19 exhibit livestock or ag mechanical projects in this show each year, competing for the title of Grand Champion.  Annually, OYE wards more than $400,000 in academic scholarships.

This event teaches youth to care for something other than themselves and gives them skills that will last their whole life. It’s a great program.

This was a short week in the House. We heard a number of bills on Monday and a few Tuesday, but we took several days off for spring break. We’ll return next week to hear several hundred bills before our third-reading deadline for bills in their chamber of origin.

As always, thank you for electing me to serve District 36. Please feel free to reach out with any thoughts or concerns on legislation. I can be reached at (405) 557-7322 or at john.george@okhouse.gov.