OKLAHOMA CITY – House and Senate leaders today announced the reorganization of the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding for the 60th Legislature with new members to review project progress on post-pandemic relief funding.
To date, funds have been distributed to more than 1,000 projects, including transformative investments in Oklahoma's water and broadband infrastructure, strengthening the nursing pipeline and rural hospitals across the state and ensuring nonprofits and food pantries are able to serve local communities, among others. There are no new applications being accepted as 100% of the funds have already been obligated to existing projects.
The state’s Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding will meet during session to ensure projects are on target for completion and funds are being used as intended.
"Oklahomans can be assured these projects are being used in ways that strengthen our state for the future. This reorganization allows us to review what was allocated to ensure funds are being used appropriately. The process we have undertaken has been very deliberate and we have funded many worthwhile projects to this point. I look forward to working in the same fashion with my colleagues moving forward.” - House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow
"The Legislature remains committed to ensuring that every dollar of pandemic relief funding is spent wisely and transparently. By reorganizing the Joint Committee, we can further our discussions on how to prioritize projects that will have a lasting impact on Oklahoma’s economy, healthcare system and critical infrastructure are progressing. To date, all the projects selected have been strategic and has been a thoughtful approach intended to prioritize meaningful investments in our state.” – Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle
“We are proud of the transformational investments being made in our state through these funds. Our goal has always been to maximize the benefit of these relief funds for Oklahomans. It is part of our oversight role to get updates on the progress of these projects and determine if any changes may be necessary to achieve the goals outlined in the state recovery plan.” – Appropriations and Budget Committee Chairman Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon
“This committee reorganization reflects our continued commitment to fiscal responsibility and strategic investment. We are focused on ensuring these funds are used efficiently to create meaningful, long-term improvements for Oklahomans. I appreciate my colleagues work thus far and look forward to building on this successful process.” - Appropriations and Budget Committee Chairman Chuck Hall, R-Perry
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was designed by the federal government to provide relief funds to state, local and tribal governments that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The state of Oklahoma received $1.87 billion from the federal government through ARPA, while counties, cities and local communities received an additional $1.32 billion. The committee will soon start meeting to discuss progress on projects and any needed changes as projects evolve.
Members of the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding and associated working groups for the 60th Legislature are the following:
Co-Chairmen
- Senator Chuck Hall, R-Perry
- Representative Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon
Health and Human Services Working Group
- Co-Chair Senator John Haste, R-Broken Arrow
- Senator Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City
- Senator Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City
- Co-Chair Representative Carl Newton, R-Cherokee
- Representative John Kane. R-Bartlesville
- Representative Cyndi Munson, R-Oklahoma City
Education and Economic Development Working Group
- Co-Chair Senator Adam Pugh, R-Edmond
- Senator Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City
- Senator Jo Anna Dossett, D-Tulsa
- Co-Chair Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang
- Representative Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee
- Representative Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa
Transportation, Infrastructure and Rural Development Working Group
- Co-Chair Senator Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond
- Senator Casey Murdock, R-Felt
- Senator Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City
- Co-Chair Representative Brad Boles, R-Marlow
- Representative Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee
- Representative Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City
Government Transformation and Collaboration Working Group
- Co-Chair Senator Grant Green, R-Wellston
- Senator Brent Howard, R-Altus
- Senator Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City
- Co-Chair Representative Mike Osburn, R-Edmond
- Representative Nicole Miller, R-Edmond
- Representative Judd Strom, R-Copan