Committees

Rep. Jim Shaw, R-Chandler, is expressing his condolences following the death of a Webster High School student in Monday's crash on the Turner Turnpike near Chandler. He also is calling for renewed attention to roadway safety along this stretch of the turnpike and other heavily traveled routes in the area. "My heart breaks for the family who lost their child, for the students and staff who were injured, and for the entire Webster High School community," Shaw said. "No family should have to experience this kind of loss. I am keeping everyone affected in my prayers, and I hope those who were injured make a full recovery." The crash occurred as several Webster High School students and a staff member were returning from a student council convention in Norman. One student passed away, and the other occupants received medical treatment at area hospitals. Shaw, whose district includes the portion of the turnpike where the accident occurred, called for a closer examination of roadway safety along the Turner Turnpike near Chandler. The crash follows previous safety concerns along the Turner Turnpike in Lincoln County. In November 2025, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported investigating 22 crashes along the full turnpike in just 18 days, with semi-trucks involved in 55% of those crashes. Shaw said these incidents warrant a closer examination of roadway conditions, traffic patterns and safety measures along this stretch of highway. "This is an area that sees significant traffic, including commercial trucks and families traveling across our state, and we need to take a hard look at whether current safety measures are doing enough to protect motorists," Shaw said. "We cannot change what happened Monday, but we can look for ways to prevent another family from experiencing this kind of heartbreak. Every Oklahoman should be able to travel our roads with confidence that their safety is a priority."

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Mike Lay, R-Jenks, Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, Amanda Clinton, D-Tulsa, and Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, issued the following joint statement expressing their condolences to the Webster High School community following Monday's tragic crash on the Turner Turnpike. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of a young life and the pain this tragedy has brought to so many families. Our hearts are with the family mourning their child, those recovering from their injuries and everyone at Webster High School who has been affected. We know words can offer only so much comfort during a time like this, but we want the Webster community to know we are here for them. We stand ready to offer our support in any way we can and will continue keeping these families in our thoughts and prayers." The crash occurred Monday as seven Webster High School students and a staff member were returning from a student council convention in Norman. One student has passed away, while the other students and staff member were injured and received medical treatment at area hospitals.  -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Judd Strom, R-Copan, commented on the launch of the new Oklahoma Spending Transparency database by the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) that gives Oklahomans greater access to information about state agency spending. The database follows transparency reforms championed by Strom during the 2026 legislative session. "I have always believed taxpayers have a right to not only know how much their government is spending, but where those dollars are going and what they are getting in return," said Strom, who chairs the House General Government Appropriations and Budget Committee. "State contracts should be transparent so communities can understand the cost and scope of public projects, ask informed questions about their progress and see how taxpayer dollars are being used. By making this information more accessible and in one place, we are giving Oklahomans the tools to identify concerns and evaluate spending decisions while holding government accountable." According to OMES, the database allows users to search state agency spending, including vendor information, purchase amounts and transaction dates. It includes both anticipated costs through purchase orders and actual expenditures made with state purchase cards. The Oklahoma Spending Transparency database follows the passage of House Bill 3415 , part of an eight-bill package authored by Strom in 2026 to improve transparency and oversight of state contracts. HB3415 requires subcontractor disclosures, stronger documentation, post-project reviews and a public database detailing state contracts, including vendors, anticipated costs and contracted services. HB3415 took effect Nov. 1. Oklahomans can access the new Spending Transparency database at contracts.ok.gov .