Senator Micheal Bergstrom
Senate District 1
March 8, 2021
Deadlines approaching
The deadline to hear bills on the Senate floor that originated in our chamber is March 11, so we’ve been working overtime to ensure bills get a fair hearing. Just this past week alone, we advanced more than 160 measures that now await a hearing in the House.
I authored 12 of those measures. Two of those – Senate Resolution 6 and Senate Bill 8 – are described briefly below. I appreciate my colleagues recognizing their importance and moving them forward.
SR 6 encourages the National Rifle Association (NRA) to move their headquarters from Fairfax, Virginia, to Oklahoma. As many of you may know, the NRA is looking to move their incorporation from New York to Texas and are considering moving their headquarters as well.
Oklahoma would be the perfect place for the NRA to call home. We’re extremely protective of our Second Amendment rights, rank in the top 10 in the country for firearms sales, and unlike many states across the country, we’re open for business. Personal freedom and liberty are a cornerstone in our state, and I know the NRA would appreciate our gun and business-friendly climate here in Oklahoma.
SB 8 designates a route that largely follows State Highway 69 in Oklahoma as the “Historic Jefferson Highway Route.” named for President Thomas Jefferson and his role in the Louisiana Purchase. Established in 1915, the Jefferson Highway is actually the oldest highway to pass through Oklahoma, beating Route 66 by nearly 10 years. It cuts through Oklahoma from the Kansas to the Texas borders, and the entire highway stretches from Canada to New Orleans.
Designating this highway stretch as the Jefferson Route with consistent signage will help us develop one more major tourist destination for history buffs from across the nation. The route meanders through many of our small towns and could provide an economic boom to mom-and-pop shops and restaurants along and near its path. This measure now moves to the House of Representatives for their consideration. If it’s approved, it will head to the governor’s desk for his signature.
Advancing Oklahoma
Our Republican Caucus has also released our agenda for the year: Rebound and Advance. We’re focusing on helping Oklahoma recover from the far-ranging effects of the pandemic to become a state that grows, thrives and prospers once again. Some of our key focus points are growing and diversifying the economy, modernizing government services, investing in Oklahoma families and increasing access to high-speed internet. I’ll keep you updated on these priorities.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve. If you have an issue or concern, I want to know about it. Please call my office at 405-521-5561 or email me at Micheal.Bergstrom@oksenate.gov if there is anything I can help you with.
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Every 10 years, the Oklahoma Legislature is constitutionally required to redraw legislative and congressional district boundaries using the latest U.S. Census data. For more information about the Oklahoma Senate's redistricting process, visit www.oksenate.gov, or submit your redistricting questions at redistricting@oksenate.gov.
