OKLAHOMA CITY – The deadline for submission of ideas for the upcoming legislative session was Friday, December 6, and lawmakers were turning in their concepts for bills up to the final moment.

The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) worked with several state senators and representatives on ideas developed during our annual Fall Forum conference. I expect a robust conversation will be held this upcoming session on those ideas, which comprises the Children’s Legislative Agenda for 2025. You can read that document on our website at https://tinyurl. com/25OICALEGAG.

I always enjoy this time of year as advocates who have suggested solutions to problems have the opportunity to work with policymakers to produce the needed answers. Of course, not all of these ideas move forward; sometimes the price tag is too much no matter how noble the solution. Of course, politics sometimes come into play, and personalities certainly can influence which ideals move forward.

People have taken notice of late regarding civility in politics. I would argue that, in Oklahoma, our lawmakers certainly take pride in their party registration, but the division is not as wide as what we see at the federal level. Of course, with 81 of 101 House members being in one party, and 39 of 48 Senators also being in the majority party, it is often more difficult for members of the minority to have their bills heard due to time constraints and natural differences in views.

The big difference in Oklahoma is the hostility between the parties is not as prevalent as what we see in federal politics. I believe that is due to many state lawmakers finding areas of consensus, sometimes with it being friends with each other’s families or sharing school loyalties, or even geographic similarities.

I deeply enjoy working with colleagues from both parties to discuss the problems seen and seek reasonable pathways to help those who are facing those issues through my years in this business. I feel there are a majority of people who are elected who also share that sentiment.

I am extremely excited about the new leadership teams in both the House of Representatives and the Senate for the upcoming session, ranging from new presiding officers and floor leaders to budget committee chairmen who have been elevated from their vice chair roles.

One of the two minority leaders will also be a new person holding that role. I have had a chance to work with each of these men and women through the years and I believe each to be in public service for the right reasons, which makes the job easier for child advocates. We can rest easier knowing lawmakers also want to see realistic solutions and are willing to look at different pathways to get to those answers.

As we begin the new session, OICA will collaborate with all lawmakers willing to work with us on new concepts this year, some involving access to insurance for children, greater access to medical and dental care statewide, and increased support for affordable childcare. We will also continue to work with allies who want to revisit the effort to end corporal punishment for special needs students. We look forward to working with budget leaders to ensure the many successful programs benefiting the youth of our state continue to be funded.

While this all might be a “glass half full” view of our state politics, I do feel optimistic that this new generation of leaders who either continue or begin their service in February will live up to that term “leader” for our state.