Leader says plans still in the works to complete budget
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate will continue to stand down through March 27, the Senate’s leader said Friday.
Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said the Senate would remain closed through the end of this week. Treat said members would be working remotely to deliver essential services and meet constituents’ needs. “Senators and our staff remain in constant contact with the governor and other executive branch officials in health care and education, our federal delegation and various leaders from key private sector industries,” Treat said in a media statement.
Treat said plans were still being made on when the 2020 legislative session and the state’s budget would be completed. He said members were also waiting for the results of the COVID-19 test taken by legislative staff and members. “We remain in continuous contact with OU Medicine, which is working to get those results.
OU Medicine says the private lab with which they have contracted for testing is experiencing an overwhelming demand,” he said. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, state lawmakers are required to finish their work by May 29. Lawmakers could, however, call themselves into a special session following their adjournment