State House Representative Dick Lowe (R-56) shared his perception of the upcoming legislative term, and its potential impact on Chickasha.The January 26, 2023 meeting of the Rotary Club of Chickasha was called to order by President-Elect Jim Cowan. The club sang "God Bless America".
Rotarian Gerron Smith spoke about the upcoming Rotary Run fundraiser, which is scheduled for May 6. Smith is looking for volunteers to form a Rotary Run Committee and assist in the planning and execution of the event. He noted that this event is important, as it funds the Rotary Roll Call program. Members interested in helping with Rotary Run should contact Gerron Smith.
Standing in for Rotarian of the Day Elizabeth Mitchell, Jim Cowan introduced the speaker, Representative Dick Lowe. Rep. Lowe, a Republican from Amber, represents District 56 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He was initially elected in 2020. District 56 has changed slightly due to 2020 Census redistricting. It now encompasses most of Chickasha, Amber, Pocasset, Minco, Tuttle, Union City, and Verden. Lowe commented that it was important to him to talk to everyone in his district, and joked about the number of miles he put on his vehicle in the process.
Rep. Lowe first addressed claims that 3,000 bills have been submitted to the state legislature this session. He explained that each legislator can really only author up to 8 bills—with 101 representatives, that is only 808 bills. The remainder are "shell bills" that will never make it to the floor. He also explained that "if you see a bill in the media...that's the only place it will be heard," meaning that such bills exist for media attention and will never actually be heard in the legislature.
Rep. Lowe stated, in reference to the upcoming legislative session, "I think it's going to be a crazy year." He anticipates one of the hottest topics being education, particularly the school voucher concept. In a voucher program, the state would provide a voucher for each student that would allow them to attend any school, public, charter, or private, on the state's dime. Lowe was very clear in his opposition to voucher programs, stressing that with only one private school in the district, all it will accomplish for this area is gutting already-underfunded rural schools. He does not see how Chickasha or any part of his district is supposed to benefit from a voucher program. He is committed to figuring out a way to support education for everyone in the state, without taking money from rural schools.
Continuing on the subject of education, Rep. Lowe said that he has authored a bill to add 10 more years of step pay for teachers in schools that pay base rates. Currently, a teacher receiving base pay will only receive a raise each year for up to 25 years before reaching the cap. The goal is to increase teacher retention. Another education bill Lowe has authored would require financial literacy courses to be taught in 10th grade or later, rather than 7th grade. The bill would also require a more modern curriculum, covering subjects such as online banking and retirement, and would require that these classes be taught by someone with a background in finance.
Rep. Lowe stated that the state government is "in the best shape we've ever been in financially."
Lowe stressed the importance of the upcoming special election on March 7. On March 7, voters will decide on a State Question regarding legalization of recreational marijuana. One of Lowe's concerns about the proposal is that every person charged with marijuana-possession-related offenses in the past 20 years will have to be re-sentenced in accordance with the new laws, placing a major strain on the judicial system. He mentioned that polls are currently trending against legalization, but no result is guaranteed.
Lastly, Rep. Lowe mentioned that extra money had been allocated this year towards youth literacy. Oklahoma's literacy rates are below average and failing to learn early can set a child behind for life. This should be a priority for every child. He explained, "We all have different talents, but we all need to communicate."
President-Elect Cowan adjourned the meeting.
Lunch was provided by Rock Island Grill.