Oklahomans advocate at the Capitol

The Capitol was packed last week with hundreds of Oklahomans who came to advocate for causes they believe in.

Feb. 8 was Higher Education Day at the Capitol. This annual event brings together students, professors, and administrators from institutions across the state to discuss the benefits of pursuing a college degree.

Our colleges and universities play an invaluable role in preparing our young people for their futures. I had a great time meeting with our students from Southeastern Oklahoma.

Feb. 7 was another special advocacy day as the Capitol honored Rose Day, an annual day at the beginning of session when people bring their elected officials a rose to symbolize the sanctity of life.

House Resolution 1022 acknowledges the importance of Rose Day. It shows the leadership of Oklahoma House members in enacting laws protecting the lives of the unborn, setting a precedent nationwide.

The resolution specifies that members of the Oklahoma House oppose any policy that would require citizens to pay for abortions through their taxpayer dollars or medical insurance premiums.

As an advocate for life, I firmly believe that every unborn child deserves the right to live, which is why I am running House Bill 1788. This bill aims to establish a tax credit for donations made to our pregnancy resource centers. By introducing this legislation, we are taking a proactive step toward promoting a pro-life culture and ensuring that pregnant women have access to the support and resources they need.

We started hearing bills in committee this week. I serve as the vice chair of the States’ Power Committee, and we heard House Bill 3217, known as the Patriotism, not Pride Act. It prohibits state agencies from using their funds to organize any event, official communication, or educational program that promotes Pride Month. HB3217 would also prohibit any flag recognizing sexual orientation or gender identity from being displayed by a state agency on state property.

During the meeting, Rep. Kevin West said he’d seen banners on state agency websites promoting Pride Month, so he felt the bill was necessary. I voted in favor of HB3217 because our state resources should focus on providing the services we can deliver, not on Pride Month.

Again, thank you for electing me to serve District 21. It is truly an honor and privilege to represent you at the State Capitol. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any concerns at 405-5577366 or cody.maynard@okhouse. gov.

Rep. Cody Maynard, a Republican, serves District 21 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which covers Bryan and Marshall counties.