Echols Announces OK House Policy Working Groups To Meet Over Interim

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 5, 2017

House Republicans Create Policy Working Groups During Interim

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Republicans will start working next month to develop an innovative and conservative policy agenda for implementation during the 2018 legislative session.

Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols today announced the creation of several House Republican Leadership Policy Working Groups to begin developing conservative policy proposals that reduce government waste and increase efficiencies in spending, enhance personal freedom and grow economic opportunities for Oklahomans.

“Oklahoma desperately needs innovation in the way we develop and deliver government services to our citizens,” said Echols, R-Oklahoma City. “We have a very large group of legislators – many of them in their first or second terms – who are tired of doing government the way it has always been done just because no one can come with better ways of doing it. Particularly given our fiscal situation, we need to be much more creative and efficient in the way we budget and govern. My expectation from discussions I have already had with members is that we are going to get some really good ideas from these groups that will be implemented next year.”

Echols said however that he expects the groups to develop their own ideas, but said some discussions have already started regarding:

• Agency, board and commission consolidation and efficiency
• Budget reform
• Business development, commerce and regulatory environment
• Education support and reform
• Healthcare and mental health
• Transportation
• Public safety and corrections

Echols said the members will be named to working groups next week. Their work is expected to be done by December.

The policy working groups will meet monthly and are voluntary; unlike official interim studies, participating members will not be paid per diem or reimbursed for mileage for travel to the Capitol.

-30-