logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinions
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Public Notices
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinions
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Public Notices
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Final Column
commentary
November 20, 2024
Final Column
By State Rep. Randy Randleman (405) 557-7375 randy.randleman@okhouse.gov

This will be my last correspondence with you, but it has been such a privilege to serve you.

Now, I am again taking up much of the work my wife Jennifer has been doing and will be assisting school-based services and a local family resource center. This change also will allow me to enjoy time with my wife, children and grandchildren, which I’m looking forward to. We prayed about this decision for quite some time. I truly believe that God comes first, our family second, and then our businesses and public service.

In my time at the House, we’ve accomplished many things. 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.

I was working on an adolescent psychiatric hospital for our area. It would have provided 20-26 beds for adolescents who are having mental or psychological problems. This was one of my main goals when I was elected. I worked with Chad Gregg, one of the administrators of the hospital for three years, to accomplish this task. Thank you Chad for all your work.

In addition, I secured $4.8 million for a new adolescent psychiatric hospital in McIntosh County, but the bill was killed on the last day of session because of a petty disagreement between senators. My successor has indicated he intends to file this bill again in hopes of securing this hospital. All of Southeast Oklahoma will benefit.

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 HB1074, HB1075, HB2282, HB2339, HB2632, HB2640, SB361 and SB456.

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, HB1709, HB2396, HB2770, SB21, SB229, SB317, 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 school mental health student records. I also worked on HB3073, HB3658, SB1337 and SB1396.

Last year, I carried HB1041, which tasked the school athletic association with establish- ing a new category of competition. This was signed into law. I also assisted with the passage of HB1504, HB4455, SB 100 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.

Additionally, I would like to thank a few friends: Glenda and Bill Allen, Billy Don Cloud and his wife, Jose Mc-Coy, Pastor Tim Turner, Mr. and Mrs. Ormes, and Ronnie Luke, who passed during my time in office. There are many, many others who played an important role in my time at the State House, and I deeply appreciate their work—thank you.

I will gladly continue to provide any assistance or advice to Tim Turner, who may need it as he steps into this role. I also will continue to assist many of the legislative friends I have made in my time at the State Capitol, and will always be a ready resource for them when they ask.

Again, I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve as your state representative. I hope that you will keep praying for our family as we will keep praying for yours.

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.

Speed, spirit & shamrocks shine at the Eufaula Green Run
A: Main, news
Speed, spirit & shamrocks shine at the Eufaula Green Run
By Shauna Belyeu General Manager 
March 18, 2026
A little luck of the Irish and a lot of community spirit filled the air on Saturday, March 14, as the fifth annual Eufaula Green Run 5K brought runners, families and plenty of green to the Cove. Hoste...
Women’s History Month
A: Main, news
Women’s History Month
By ALMA HARPER GARDENIA ART FEDERATED CLUB 
March 18, 2026
National Theme: “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Substantial Future” March is Women’s History Month. Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. Before it w...
A: Main, news
McIntosh County Commissioners call Special Election on sales tax renewal
By Shauna Belyeu General Manager 
March 18, 2026
McIntosh County voters will head to the polls June 16 to decide whether to renew an existing county sales tax used to fund roads, bridges and county facilities. The McIntosh County Board of County Com...
A: Main, news
Chamber announces March General Meeting
March 18, 2026
The Eufaula Area Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly general meeting on Friday, March 20, at noon at the Chamber office, 301 N. Main Street in Eufaula. The guest speaker for the meeting will be ...
City continues work on first comprehensive plan
A: Main, news
City continues work on first comprehensive plan
March 18, 2026
On Saturday, March 14, the City of Eufaula continued its work on developing the community’s first comprehensive plan. A comprehensive plan serves as a long-range policy document that guides how a city...
news
Wild Game Dinner & Potluck at Lake Eufaula State Park
March 18, 2026
Come join locals for a great evening at Pickens Lake Group Camp, Hwy 150, Lake Eufaula State Park, on March 21 at 5 p.m. as Friends of Lake Eufaula State Park host their Annual Wild Game Dinner & Potl...
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Flat Stanley joined the Green Run
news
Flat Stanley joined the Green Run
March 18, 2026
Eufaula Elementary School students are bringing a beloved storybook character to life, one adventure at a time. As part of an integrated learning project in Ms. Gilley’s class, students recently read ...
When the Wild Onions Return
news
When the Wild Onions Return
By MICHAEL BARNES CONTRIBUTING WRITER 
March 18, 2026
The scent of wild onions filled the kitchen before anything else. Earlier that morning, volunteers gathered at the Eufaula Indian Community Nutrition Center on Birkes Road to prepare the annual wild o...
news
House approves increased penalties for domestic violence by strangulation
March 18, 2026
Rep. John George, R-Newalla, this week unanimously passed a bill in the House that would add domestic violence by strangulation to the list of crimes requiring a person to serve 85% of a prison senten...
Long nights and legislative progress
commentary
Long nights and legislative progress
By REPRESENTATIVE NEIL HAYS (405) 557-7302 
March 18, 2026
The past week at the Capitol has i n c luded some long nights as l awma k ers work to move legislation f o rwa rd. This stage of session can bring lively debates as members advocate for their ideas an...
Value what truly matters
commentary
Value what truly matters
March 18, 2026
In the past three months I have lost three valuable people in my life which makes you stop and value what truly matters. First I lost my editor, Jerry, who was a key contributor to our local newspaper...
Facebook

THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL
100 N. 2nd Street
Eufaula, OK 74432

(918) 689-2191

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy