Jessica Zimmerman (OU), November 12, 2021
Late Thursday evening, the House of Representatives heard their first bill from the Senate. Sen. Tessla Brewer (OU), along with Press Secretary Catherine Hensley, brought before the House a bill proposing a new state symbol. Just as there is a state flower, state vegetable, and state beverage, the bill proposed an official state illicit drug. The bill was the last one to be heard in the House of Representatives for the day, and it passed with very little resistance.
Rep. Arielle Quartuccio (OBU) voted in favor of the bill. She said her vote was mainly determined by personal connections.
“Honestly, Tessla and I used to be hallmates, and so whenever I saw her presenting this bill, I said of course I’m going to vote yes on this bill no matter what because she is a true sister in Christ.”
Rep. Quartuccio did, however, have an argument in favor of the bill. The bill has been sent to Governor Barnett for a signature, and Rep. Quartuccio shared her statement encouraging him to sign it.
“I believe Governor Barnett should pass this bill wholeheartedly because it not only shows our state of Oklahoma that this is a big deal, but it also reassures those on meth that life will be okay. This is really just caring about those people.”
Rep. Jacob Wiggings (ORU) also voted yes on the bill. As an alternate, he very rarely has the opportunity to actually vote on a bill.
“I voted because it was one of the two bills I got to vote on, so why not vote yes if you’ve got the opportunity to vote?”
Rep. Jacob Castro (OSU), took the opposite approach.
“I voted against it because it’s good to be different and stand out.”
His fellow delegation member, Rep. Stephanie Landaverde (OSU), said, “He’s not like other girls.”
Rep. Renner Howell (OU) also voted against the bill.
“I do not think that it is appropriate to be passing bills which disparage the state of Oklahoma. We should be creating bills to fix it and not to mock it.”
However, as the bill did have the majority of support between the house and the senate, many are hopeful that the governor will sign it.
Sen. Jake Ervin (NWOSU) also had advice for the governor to consider before deciding whether or not to sign the bill.
“I think he should be concerned about what the dentists and the meth heads will do if he does not sign it.”
Only time will tell the final decision on Senate Bill No. OU-009.