OKLAHOMA HOUSE REPORT From Rep. Roe
As we begin the Second Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature, the work is already underway at the Capitol. This past week, the House heard from what are often called the “Big Six” state agencies as they presented their requested budgets.
These budget hearings take place on the House floor, and many are held jointly with the Senate. They are not just presentations, but opportunities for lawmakers to ask direct questions, review outcomes and make sure state agencies are using taxpayer dollars responsibly. Oklahomans work hard for what they earn, and the government has a duty to manage those funds with care.
I paid particularly close attention during the budget meeting for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. During the previous session, lawmakers approved additional funding for the department. That support came with expectations.
We asked the department to correct and stabilize its financial processes, ensure accountability in its bookkeeping and prove that resources are being used effectively. At the same time, we must also ensure that the services Oklahomans depend on remain available.
Mental health services are not optional for many families. They are essential.
But as we work to meet these needs, we must also insist on financial responsibility and clear reporting. Accountability and compassion go hand in hand, and both must be part of our work.
Committee work is also moving forward quickly. As chair of the House Public Health Committee, I have now received the bills that were assigned to my committee for consideration. This is one of the most important stages of the legislative process, because committees determine which proposals deserve serious discussion and which ones do not.
To ensure that every bill considered in committee is taken seriously, I have made it a priority to meet personally with the authors of bills assigned to Public Health. These conversations allow members to hear directly from the lawmakers who filed the legislation and understand the purpose behind each proposal.
That process is strategic and necessary. The people of Oklahoma do not send us to the Capitol to waste time. They send us to be good stewards of our responsibilities, our laws and our tax dollars. Every bill we consider should serve a meaningful purpose and should benefit Oklahomans, not create unnecessary burdens.
I firmly believe it should be difficult for a bill to become a law. Laws affect real lives, and lawmakers should not pass new regulations or mandates without careful thought, solid reasoning and a clear benefit to the public.
In addition to Public Health, I am also reviewing legislation assigned to the Agriculture Committee, where I am proud to serve as a member. Agriculture remains one of the strongest parts of Oklahoma’s economy and culture, and I will continue working to ensure our farmers, ranchers and rural communities have a voice at the Capitol.
I am looking forward to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s State of the State address, which will help kick off this second session. The address is Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, and it marks the official start of a new legislative season. I am ready to get to work.
As always, please know I am praying for my fellow legislators during this session, and I am also praying for the people of our district.
I love to hear from you. Feel free to contact me with your questions or concerns. My email address is cynthia.roe@okhouse.gov, or you can call my office at (405) 557-7365. Thank you for letting me represent you at the Capitol!
Rep. Cynthia Roe, a Republican, represents House District 42 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Her district includes portions of Cleveland, Garvin and McClain counties.
