Representative Arturo Alonso Sandoval

D

District 89

Hi, I’m Arturo Alonso Sandoval and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 89th District.


representative

Leadership

Minority Caucus Secretary

60th Legislature

News & Announcements

Jan 27, 2025

Oklahoma's Children Deserve Better: Rejecting Dangerous School Immigration Raids

OKLAHOMA CITY--House Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, D-Oklahoma City, released the following statement after the Oklahoma State Superintendent announced ICE raids would be permitted in Oklahoma public schools: “The State Superintendent’s endorsement of ICE raids in Oklahoma schools isn't just morally wrong – it's constitutionally indefensible. Anyone who claims undocumented children don't deserve an education shows blatant disregard for both our state and federal constitutions, which guarantee this fundamental right. “Let's be clear: we're talking about children. As Jesus taught, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these’ (Matthew 19:14). These are children who have done nothing wrong, who simply want to learn and grow alongside their classmates. “We cannot overlook the facts: Oklahoma ranks 49th in education nationally, with one in five children struggling with mental illness. Instead of protecting and educating our children, he chooses to terrorize them. His inflammatory rhetoric has already sparked racist incidents in our schools, including recent attacks targeting Hispanic students in Broken Arrow – this is unacceptable. “Bringing ICE agents into classrooms would devastate our educational system, traumatizing the young minds of all students. This reckless policy would drive children from schools, fueling dropout rates and undermining our state's future at a time when Oklahoma desperately needs young, skilled talent. “These children – regardless of their documentation status – share the same dreams, fears, and potential as every other student in our classrooms. They are children first and foremost, deserving of protection, education, and the chance to build a better future. “As the proud son of immigrant parents, I know our immigrant families embody the American Dream, contributing daily to our communities despite relentless attacks. Oklahoma's teachers and school staff witness firsthand how these young students and their families strengthen our schools and state through their resilience and determination. “I, like so many Oklahomans, demand an immediate end to this dangerous political exploitation of our children. Oklahoma's future depends on educating ALL our students – not driving them into the shadows.” -END-

Dec 13, 2024
Recent Posts

Alonso-Sandoval receives Community Changemaker Award from Generation Citizen

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, D-Oklahoma City, released the following statement after receiving the Community Changemaker Award from Generation Citizen on Civics Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol. “This week, I had the honor of participating in Civics Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol, hosted by Generation Citizen—an experience that reaffirmed my deepest beliefs about youth engagement and the power of civic participation. “Generation Citizen's Civics Day is more than just a showcase of student research; it's a testament to the incredible potential of young people to drive meaningful change. When I was invited to deliver the keynote speech, I spoke directly to a generation, my generation, that isn't just dreaming about the future, but actively working to shape it. To my surprise, I was deeply humbled to receive the ‘Community Changemaker Award’ for the work I had done in engaging young people this year. “This recognition isn't just about me, it's about the belief that young voices matter. It's about breaking down the barriers that tell our youth they're too young to make a difference or that politics is a distant, complicated world beyond their reach. “This fall semester, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Principal Gina Villalva from Emerson South High School on an innovative ‘Pathways to Politics’ course. The program was designed to do something crucial: demystify the political process and show students that civic engagement isn't just a possibility, but a powerful tool for creating real change. “Through this course, we brought in elected officials from various levels of government—from school board to city council, state legislature, and federal representatives too. The goal was to show these young people that their voices aren't just heard, they're essential. “Our youth aren't just the future of our democracy, they are its present. They possess an incredible capacity to dream big, challenge the status quo, and imagine solutions that previous generations might have considered impossible. By providing platforms for civic education and engagement, we're not just teaching them about government—we're empowering them to become the leaders our community needs, now more than ever. “As the youngest state legislator in Oklahoma, I'm committed to continuing this work. Because when we invest in our young people's civic education and engagement, we're investing in the very foundation of our democratic process. “Thank you for reminding me why I do this work. Thank you for giving me hope. The future is ours!” -END-

Oct 15, 2024
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Pae, Alonso-Sandoval Host Study on Rural Healthcare Challenges

Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, and Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, D-Oklahoma City, hosted an interim study on healthcare challenges facing rural Oklahomans before the House Public Health Committee on Thursday, Oct. 10.  "A strong healthcare system is the backbone of a healthy economy, but when we fail to invest in rural healthcare, we fail our fellow Oklahomans," Pae said. "Without providing the right resources today, rural hospitals will continue to close their doors. These difficulties won't just go away if we ignore the problem or resolve themselves unless we take targeted investment and action."  "This interim study shed light on our current healthcare challenges and the immediate steps we can take to make a significant difference next session," Alonso-Sandoval said. "As a representative of an urban district, I've seen how parts of our cities face healthcare access issues similar to our rural communities. It's clear that addressing the lack of healthcare resources is crucial for all Oklahomans, no matter where they live. This study emphasized the importance in providing comprehensive solutions that ensure quality healthcare is accessible to every Oklahoman." According to the Oklahoma Hospital Association (OHA), in 2023, Oklahoma's healthcare spending per capita was $9,444, whereas the U.S. healthcare spending per capita was $10,191.  When speaking on operational challenges hospitals face, Rich Rasmussen, president and CEO of OHA, said total expenses were $2 billion higher in 2023 than pre-pandemic. He attributed this increase to rising labor costs, including contract labor expenses, as well as growing prices of utilities, drugs and supplies.  "The majority of hospitals dipped into their reserves to be able to cover operating costs," Rasmussen said.  Sean McAvoy, executive director of Primary Care Services for Comanche County Hospital Authority, said there are several reasons why providers may choose not to go to rural areas.  McAvoy said many rural areas lack facilities that meet healthcare standards, requiring new construction of healthcare facilities, as well as having a smaller workforce to recruit from, leading many healthcare providers to recruit new hires, which can be costly. Additionally, McAvoy said, rural areas with fewer employees mean fewer people with employer-sponsored healthcare, which typically pays better rates to healthcare providers.  McAvoy said transportation presents a challenge in rural areas, especially for older adults, but telemedicine is an increasingly valuable tool to address certain healthcare concerns. He also pointed to mobile clinics as a good option to expand care in rural areas quickly, although he said they typically have high operational costs.  Melissa Alvillar, the chief nursing officer at Comanche County Memorial Hospital, said Oklahoma is ranked 49th nationally in healthcare outcomes.  "Hospitals such as ours are willing to grow and willing to add beds to facilitate the care that the rural environment needs, but we need the financial help to support that," Alvillar said. She said healthcare providers need support from lawmakers to deliver the care Oklahomans deserve.  "We have the ability to be higher in healthcare than 49th," Alvillar said.  She told attendees it's hard to get people to join or stay in the healthcare workforce given the increase in physical assaults and threats against healthcare providers and, as a result, the cost of staff pay and benefits to retain employees is "through the roof," further stressing hospitals' and clinics' budgets.  Dr. Mark Woodring, vice chair of the Board of Rural Health Association of Oklahoma, highlighted the recent groundbreaking of a new rural hospital in Tillman County. Since the 2016 closure of Memorial Hospital and Physician Group in Frederick, residents have driven between 30 minutes to an hour to receive hospital-level care. The new hospital is funded in part by the Legislature's appropriation of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.  According to the most recent data, Woodring said, "Most of Oklahoma is a health professional shortage area." One suggestion he offered to improve rural health outcomes was creating a healthcare rural opportunity zone pilot program or offering state income tax exemptions or credits to providers who relocate.  "It's creating maybe an additional incentive not to go into a specialty that's going to pay them more," Woodring said. "They know that certainly primary care, while competitive is not paying as much as a maybe a cardiologist or an orthopedic surgeon."