Honoring great Oklahomans

Opinion

April 18, 2009

By Rep. Brian Renegar, DVM The McAlester News-Capital Sat Apr 18, 2009, 12:24 PM CDT

On April 14, the House of Representatives saluted the dispatchers of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol — true unsung heroes. I was especially proud because there were two dispatchers honored from Troop D of McAlester. They were Lt. Robert Padgett and Sgt. Junel McGinnis. Also honored were members of Oklahoma’s 45th National Guard.

One of the disadvantages of filing bills early is that other members can copy your bill and get the recognition. It doesn’t bother me who gets recognized as long as good bills get passed. I am happy to announce that HB 1092 was signed into law this week by Gov. Brad Henry. This bill gives a 30-day grace period after your driver’s license expires to get a renewal without having to provide a copy of your birth certificate. I want to take my hat off to Barney Rosso of Harsthorne, who asked me to file this bill. It was one of the first bills filed in the House in January and it was duplicated three times by other Legislators. This is a good example of how every person has a chance to make a difference.

This week, I was honored to have John Stegall, from Red Oak, as my page on the House floor. I got a chance to visit at length with Stegall and am really impressed with this young man.

I feel I need to comment on the equine dentistry issue that has been brought up at the Capitol. At the present time, it is legal for lay teeth floaters to work on horses’ teeth if they are supervised by a licensed veterinarian. State Rep. Don Armes, R-Faxon, was trying to make it legal for lay teeth floaters to work on teeth without supervision. To perform this procedure, these horses need to be sedated with prescription drugs that are both state and federally restricted. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics is concerned about the diversion of any drugs to human use as “date rape drugs.”

I was against the proposal because I do not feel that these drugs should be used by lay people. Unfortunately, a lot of untrue rumors have surfaced. One of the rumors is that the Legislature was trying to keep farmers and ranchers from treating their own animals. This is totally untrue. In my practice I assist a lot of people in treating their own animals. I give free information to the general public on the best way for them to treat their animals. This is just another example of how legislators try to pass certain legislation by providing a “fear factor” that might generate support for their agenda.

This was another great week of visitors: Farris and Jennievie Jones, of McAlester; Nancy Sparks, of McAlester; Deidre Harris; Don Mordecai, of McAlester; June Dugger, Judy Boswell, Dee Perryman and Barbara Rhodes, all with Century 21 Realtors from McAlester; Kim Rose, SueAnn Deela; Samantha Curliss; Carla and Glen Brunson all with KEDDO-AAA from Wilburton.

District 17 State Rep. Brian Renegar: House of Representatives, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Room 326, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105. Capitol office (405) 557-7381.

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