Gov. Stitt signs 'Truth in Food Labeling' bill into law

Governor Signs 'Truth in Food Labeling' Bill into Law

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, today commented on the governor signing into law a bill that will require manufactured-protein food products to be clearly labeled as distinct from meat.

House Bill 1126, will require food manufacturers, distributers and retailers to clearly disclose that cell-cultivated or cultured products or those that come from a lab, plants or insect proteins are not meat. Those convicted of false advertising could face a misdemeanor.  

"I wish to thank Governor Stitt for signing House Bill 1126 into law," Grego said. "This is an effort to help protect beef producers, such as myself, against the flood of products claiming to be meat. Many of these products are derived from plants, insects, or even originate in a Petri dish. I believe if you as a consumer wish to consume these products there should be no doubt as to how they were produced. This bill really is a truth in labeling bill."

State Rep. Grego blasts news of Talihina Veterans Center closure

Grego Blasts News of Talihina Veterans Center Closure

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 22nd) – Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, today expressed his anger after receiving news that the Oklahoma Veterans Commission voted 5-0 to close the Talihina Veterans Center, effective immediately.

"This means 36 families have just 90 days to find a place to care for their loved ones," Grego said. "This is a disruption and a disgrace to these veterans who faithfully sacrificed and served our nation and to their families who want to keep their loved ones nearby."

House advances measure to add meats to 'Oklahoma Certified' list

House Advances Measure to Add Meats to 'Oklahoma Certified' List

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, today won unanimous House passage of a bill that would expand the list of meats on the "Oklahoma Certified" list.

Currently beef (bovine) is the only meat on the list. Under House Bill 2368, swine, goat, lamb, poultry and fish would be added.

"Getting meat locally from a safe and trusted source while at the same time helping our Oklahoma farmers and ranchers is vitally important," Grego said. "This is especially true in this current climate where gas prices, supply chain breakdowns and inflation are significantly raising the price of many products. The more 'Oklahoma Certified' meats we have, the better we'll be able to feed people here in the Heartland."

State Rep. Grego questions new State Park fees

Grego Questions State Park Fees

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, today said he was in total dismay after learning of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department’s plan to start charging fees to enter state-owned parks, which traditionally have been free except for extra amenities.

Rep. Grego worked tirelessly alongside Rep. Johnny Tadlock, R-Idabel, during the past legislative session trying to postpone or eliminate what he is calling a new tax.

“In committee hearings, Tourism Director Jerry Winchester continued to try to sell us his cause,” Grego said. “We introduced House Bill 2884, which would have allowed exceptions from these fees for local citizens. It’s hard for me to understand when a lake was built 90 years ago on donated land and the cost of construction was paid with public funds, that now we are going to charge our citizens a fee to enjoy this body of water.”

Grego said as a child growing up in Latimer County, going to Robber’s Cave State Park’s Lake Carlton was one of the few outings his family of 12 could afford.

State Rep alerts propane users to check levels amid COVID-19 pressure check restrictions

Grego Alerts Propane Users to Check Levels

WILBURTON – State Rep Jim Grego (R-Wilburton) today issued notice to propane users that they need to check their levels or risk not being able to purchase replacement propane because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grego said he was notified that if a customer runs completely out of propane it is in state law that the propane dealer has to enter a person’s home to do a pressure check to make sure it is not an issue with an appliance that caused the depletion.

With the COVID-19 quarantine, however, some propane companies are refusing to let their drivers enter homes to do the pressure checks.

“A lot of residents in rural Oklahoma use propane,” Grego said. “I just wanted to make sure they are aware of this problem, so they don’t run short of the fuel they need to run their appliances during this health crisis.”

Grego said he has been in contact with the Oklahoma LP Gas Commission and the governor’s office to see what can be done to help people who might have run out of propane. He’s looking into fixing this problem in legislation next year. 

Jim Grego represents District 17 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes parts of Latimer, LeFlore and Pittsburg counties.

Surplus hospital beds secured for McAlester Regional Health Center

Surplus Beds Secured for McAlester Regional Health Center

MCALESTER -- State Rep Jim Grego (R-Wilburton) and State Sen.  Larry Boggs (R-Wilburton) announced Thursday that a load of surplus hospital beds from the Talihina Veterans Center had been shipped to the McAlester Regional Health Center in McAlester.

“McAlester Regional officials reached out to their elected delegation expressing difficulty in obtaining some additional equipment in order to restock a previously closed wing of the hospital in anticipation of a surge of patients in the coming weeks due to COVID-19,” Grego said.

Grego said he worked with State Rep. Chris Kannady (R-Oklahoma City) along with Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Joel Kintsel and Deputy Director Sarah Lane. They were able to confirm the existence of the beds, which had been taken out of service and deemed surplus. The beds then were made available to McAlester Regional Health Center.

Pittsburg County Commissioner Ross Selman secured a truck along with a van trailer loaned by Big V Feeds Inc. of McAlester to provide transportation.

“This is the way government is supposed to work,” Grego said. “You have an identified need, locate a source, then connect the transportation to make it happen. We had state, county and local officials along with private entities involved.

“While this equipment is now positioned where it can do the maximum good, the hopes and prayers are that it will not be necessary to use.”

Jim Grego represents District 17 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes parts of Latimer, LeFlore and Pittsburg counties.