Capitol visit interesting

It’s always an interesting day when members of the Oklahoma Press Association gather at the State Capitol for the annual OPA Legislative Summit.

After an initial meeting members fan out through the building to visit with their respective senators and representatives.

We had the opportunity to speak with State Sen. Jessica Garvin and State Rep. Cindy Roe among others.

After lunch, House Speaker Charles McCall, House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd and Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat all spoke and made presentations.

I’m glad we have people willing to serve because politics really isn’t my cup of tea.

Of course school vouchers came up in the course of discussions and school transfers and teacher pay.

The legislators talked about what can be done at the state level to help taxpayers with rising inflation.

McCall said education is always important because, “it is the foundation of the State of Oklahoma.”

McCall reiterated his position from last session that a voucher bill will not come out of the House of Representatives saying, “vouchers would be detrimental to rural schools.”

Most of the legislators I visited with said they think public funds should remain in support of public schools.

One publisher took public school support one step further by raising the question why can’t more private funds be used to support public schools.

It is an interesting idea and food for thought.