OKLAHOMA CITY – As a former lawmaker and someone who continues to work publicly in policy, the horrific act which happened over this past weekend in Minnesota with the murder and attempted murder of s...

OKLAHOMA CITY – As we continue our examination of the massive federal legislation called the “Big Beautiful Bill” by proponents, it is important to look at the education portion of the bill. As you ca...

Imagine being tiny and defenseless and being tossed out like trash on the road where the only shelter you had was the thicket of wild brush poking at your tender pink skin. That was the reality of fiv...

OKLAHOMA CITY – Prior to the Memorial Day weekend, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 1, commonly called the “Big, Beautiful Bill” Act. The vote of 215-214 fell almost exactly on a party-line...

I am excited to share that at least eight of the rural fire departments within House District 15 have been awarded grants to purchase new gear ranging from trucks, Jaws of Life and personal protective...

One of the most important things my parents taught my sister and me was that God is not only good and worthy of worship, but He is also faithful to us. We see this beautiful promise written in Psalm 1...

For a change of pace, let me ask you a question. Who do you say Jesus is? When Peter was asked this question, he said this in Mark 8:29, “You are the Messiah.” When C.S. Lewis approached this question...

The final days of the first session of the 60th Legislature have been full as lawmakers worked to finalize legislation and pass the state budget. This week, I presented the Senate amendments to House ...

One thing I learned when I was just a child was to keep your friends close at heart even if life’s journey pulled you in different directions and apart. Though there would be many I called friends alo...

Another Mother’s Day has come and gone and though it didn’t go quite the way I had planned, God already knew what the day would hold so He prepared me with my pastor Holly Furtick’s sermon “Hold Your ...

OKLAHOMA CITY – As May is upon us, it is the time of year when the state budget picture begins to clear as state legislators put the finishing touches on the budget for the fiscal year beginning on Ju...

Senate Bill 2, as amended in the House, is the current wind energy setback bill I am supporting. This measure is now identical to House Bill 2751, which failed in the Senate Energy Committee in April....

REPRESENTATIVE NEIL HAYS 557-7302 We’ve officially wrapped up the legislative work for this session, and heard over 200 bills that have now made their way through the process. I’m proud of the legisla...

My favorite scripture says, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” - Romans 8:18 No one likes to suffer. No...

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma received good news last week: the long-running Pinnacle Plan, a settlement agreement for the class action lawsuit filed against the Department of Human Services, was finalized...

Wildfires fueled by strong winds began burning much of the state starting March 14. Four died as a result of the fires, including one here in Haskell County. A fire near Stigler burned about 96 acres ...

Possibly the most misunderstood and controversial character of the Civil War is John Brown. As a child growing up in Virginia, I was taught that Brown was the enemy; a religious fanatic who was bent o...

Every year as I approach my birthday and the end of the year, I often reflect on where I’ve been and where I still want to go physically, mentally and spiritually. I know life sometimes takes us by su...

OKLAHOMA CITY – As we approach Christmas and the other holidays celebrated during this time of year, many will have joyous moments, while others will endure sadness. I want to extend heartfelt appreci...

I recently was named vice chair of the House Appropriations Public Safety Commit tee. In this posit ion, I will help oversee legislation related to funding for the state’s public safety agencies. Thes...