House Media

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, and Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, represented Oklahoma in national policy discussions during the 2026 Legislative Summit hosted by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in Chicago. Townley participated in a panel on state workforce development strategy, while Miller moderated a discussion on the growing cost of deferred transportation maintenance.  Townley joined fellow lawmakers from Delaware, Illinois and Utah for "Policy to Practice: The Legislative Role in Workforce Development." The panel examined how state workforce development boards can help align program and funding decisions with economic goals, employer needs and changes in the labor market. "A strong workforce is the foundation of a strong economy," Townley said. "As legislators, our responsibility is to create policies that connect Oklahomans with meaningful careers while ensuring employers have the skilled workforce they need to compete, innovate and grow. The states that invest in workforce development today will lead the economy tomorrow, and Oklahoma has made tremendous progress by bringing education leaders, workforce partners and industry together to meet the needs of our economy. But we can never stop looking for better solutions. Conversations like these allow us to exchange ideas, learn from other states and challenge ourselves to think differently. It was an honor to share Oklahoma’s successes with legislators from across the country while bringing home innovative ideas that will strengthen opportunities for Oklahoma families, support our businesses and help keep our state economically competitive for generations to come." Miller moderated “The Pothole Problem: Transportation’s Deferred Maintenance Gap,” which featured experts from the American Society of Civil Engineers, The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Illinois Department of Transportation. The discussion focused on the long-term costs created when routine repairs to roads, bridges and transit systems are postponed, as well as the role of transparent asset management and sustainable transportation investment. "Moderating this discussion gave Oklahoma an opportunity to help guide a national conversation about better data, long-range planning and responsible investment," Miller said. "Those are the tools states need to protect taxpayers and keep transportation systems safe and reliable. I was proud to share Oklahoma’s successes, especially our significant improvements from 49th to fourth in the nation for structurally deficient bridges, and the lessons we have learned as we addressed long-deferred infrastructure maintenance over the last 20 years." Townley serves as vice chair of NCSL’s Labor and Economic Development Standing Committee, while Miller serves as co-chair of NCSL’s Transportation Standing Committee. The summit was held July 27-29 in Chicago.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Stacy Jo Adams, R-Duncan, and Chris Sneed, R-Fort Gibson, will lead an interim study examining the factors contributing to rising homeowners' insurance costs in Oklahoma. The lawmakers will bring together insurance professionals, contractors, builders, real estate professionals, adjusters, consumer advocates and homeowners to better understand why Oklahoma consistently ranks among the states with the highest homeowner's insurance premiums. "This issue hits close to home for me in more than one way," Adams said. "As a customer-facing insurance agent and a state representative, I hear the frustration across the desk and across the district. I see customers opening their renewal notices and wondering why their homeowner's insurance premiums have increased again. I also hear from constituents who simply want to know why it costs so much to protect the homes they’ve worked so hard to build. I want answers too." The study will examine property values, construction materials, labor expenses and severe weather losses. Adams and Sneed also plan to consider the cost of replacing roofs through insurance claims compared with similar work during new construction. "Our plan for this study is to dig into the costs that may not be as obvious," Sneed said. "We know property values have increased significantly, building materials and labor cost more and we know storms seem to love Oklahoma. There has to be additional factors driving these prices, and we intend to cover all our bases." Additional topics will include litigation and legal expenses, reinsurance, building codes, fraud and regulatory requirements. "We are approaching this study without a predetermined conclusion," Adams said. "Some factors may be outside Oklahoma’s control, while others may present opportunities for reform. Our goal is to follow the data, separate fact from assumption and identify practical solutions that could make a difference for Oklahoma families." The interim study period begins Monday, Aug. 3, and ends Friday, Oct. 30. Interim studies allow lawmakers to examine policy issues in greater detail outside the regular legislative session. The date and meeting details for the study will be announced at a later date.

Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, joined lawmakers from across the country this week to officially launch the American German State Legislators Caucus during the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit in Chicago. Pae is a founding member of the bipartisan organization, which brings together state legislators interested in improving trade, investment, education, workforce development and cultural exchange between U.S. state legislatures and Germany. The kickoff event welcomed U.S. state legislators, a delegation of members of German state parliaments, representatives of German businesses and professional organizations, and members of the caucus's inaugural Board of Directors. "Oklahoma has benefited tremendously from strong international partnerships, and Germany has long been one of our most important economic partners," Pae said. "I'm honored to be a founding member of the American German State Legislators Caucus and look forward to working with colleagues across the country to strengthen the relationships that create jobs and encourage innovation between our communities."  Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, attended the launch as well. "It was good to meet with Angela Freimuth at the NCLS conference in Chicago," Rader said. "We discussed some possible ways for strengthening and increasing business opportunities between Germany and Oklahoma. Thank you, Rep. Pae, for arranging the meeting." In 2025, Germany was Oklahoma's fourth largest export market, exporting $485 million in goods to the country. The new caucus will provide opportunities for state legislators to share best practices, engage with German leaders and businesses, and promote policies that strengthen transatlantic cooperation.