Oklahoma House and Senate leaders announced on Wednesday they had reorganized the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding to review project progress using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
Lawmakers help decide which projects got funding. More than 1,000 were selected to receive part of the $1.87 received by the state of Oklahoma from ARPA.
The newly reorganized committee will check the progress of projects to make sure they remain on target and funds are being used as intended.
“Oklahomans can be assured these projects are being used in ways that strengthen our state for the future. This reorganization allows us to review what was allocated to ensure funds are being used appropriately. The process we have undertaken has been very deliberate and we have funded many worthwhile projects to this point. I look forward to working in the same fashion with my colleagues moving forward,” said Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert.
His counterpart in the Oklahoma Senate agrees.
“The Legislature remains committed to ensuring that every dollar of pandemic relief funding is spent wisely and transparently. By reorganizing the Joint Committee, we can further our discussions on how to prioritize projects that will have a lasting impact on Oklahoma’s economy, healthcare system and critical infrastructure are progressing. To date, all the projects selected have been strategic and has been a thoughtful approach intended to prioritize meaningful investments in our state,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton.
The new Joint Committee structure can be found below:
Co-Chairmen
Senator Chuck Hall, R-Perry
Representative Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon
Health and Human Services Working Group
Co-Chair Senator John Haste, R-Broken Arrow
Senator Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City
Senator Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City
Co-Chair Representative Carl Newton, R-Cherokee
Representative John Kane. R-Bartlesville
Representative Cyndi Munson, R-Oklahoma City
Education and Economic Development Working Group
Co-Chair Senator Adam Pugh, R-Edmond
Senator Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City
Senator Jo Anna Dossett, D-Tulsa
Co-Chair Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang
Representative Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee
Representative Melodye Blancett, D-Tulsa
Transportation, Infrastructure and Rural Development Working Group
Co-Chair Senator Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond
Senator Casey Murdock, R-Felt
Senator Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City
Co-Chair Representative Brad Boles, R-Marlow
Representative Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee
Representative Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City
Government Transformation and Collaboration Working Group
Co-Chair Senator Grant Green, R-Wellston
Senator Brent Howard, R-Altus
Senator Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City
Co-Chair Representative Mike Osburn, R-Edmond
Representative Nicole Miller, R-Edmond
Representative Judd Strom, R-Copan
