This week, the House recognized May 12 through May 18, 2024, as National Police Week and May 15, 2024, as Peace Officers Memorial Day in Oklahoma.

Our police do so much for our citizens, from keeping them safe from criminals to helping direct them to needed assistance and providing community services to youth, the elderly, and many others. I am proud to publicly stand up and say I back the blue.

During the past year, 136 officers nationwide have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty, including Captain John Robert Randolph III of the Ringling Police Department in Oklahoma. With House Resolution 1050, the House honored these brave individuals and extended its deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of these fallen officers. Thank you to all law enforcement officers in House District 11 for building safer and more secure communities.

The House and Senate are in week two of budget summits with the governor. The meetings are being live-streamed on the governor's YouTube channel and covered by Capitol media for anyone wanting to tune in.

While it's commendable that the governor is hosting this open forum, it's important to remember that creating legislation to achieve a balanced budget is the Legislature's responsibility- it's our only constitutional duty each year.

The state budget is based on revenue figures publicly approved by the State Board of Equalization, considering budget requests presented publicly to various Appropriations subcommittees by agencies that receive state funding.

Leadership from each chamber typically gathers that information. It negotiates the budget for the next fiscal year before bringing the final product of their negotiations to their respective chambers in the form of general appropriations bills. The measures face numerous questions and debates from legislative members before a final vote. Once measures pass in both chambers, they are sent to the governor to be signed into law or vetoed. If vetoed, the Legislature can override.

We have less than three weeks until the Legislature must adjourn, so I hope we can reach a budget agreement soon.

It is such an honor and privilege to represent you at the State Capitol. I want to encourage any constituent with questions or concerns regarding legislation to reach out to my office at (405) 557-7358 or at john.kane@okhouse.gov.

John Kane, a Republican, serves House District 11 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which covers Tulsa and Washington counties.