OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Adam Pugh began his second term in the Oklahoma State Senate after taking the Oath of Office in the Senate Chamber Monday. The Edmond Republican was sworn in with other returning Senators and newly elected members by Chief Justice Noma Gurich.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue my service to the State of Oklahoma and the people of Senate District 41,” Pugh said. “We’ve made tremendous improvements to our schools, state government and economy the last four years but now the state has taken a great financial hit from this historic pandemic. It’s going to take years for our economy to recover but we will do all we can to help Oklahoma workers, business owners and families. We’ve overcome major adversity in the past and we will do it again.”
Traditionally, senators take the oath of office at the same time but to recognize social distancing and safety protocols, the members were split into small groups that were sworn in separately.
During his first term, Pugh has been a champion for Oklahoma’s businesses, teachers and veterans. He has been recognized by the White House, the U.S. Department of Defense and numerous other organizations for establishing universal and reciprocal licensing and certification in the state. His bills have made it easier for teachers, trade licensees, and veterans’ families to move to Oklahoma and continue their work without having to deal with unnecessary government red tape. Pugh has also been a strong advocate for Oklahoma’s aerospace and aviation industry, which thanks to his work and others has now grown to the state’s second largest industry. His signed bills have also helped strengthen reporting requirements for sex offenders, saved the state nearly $1 million annually through reforms regarding high frequency emergency room visitors, better protected patients with dementia and other cognitive impairment from abuse and exploitation, and streamlined the election process by aligning state and county election dates.
The Senate will convene for an Organizational Day on Tuesday, Jan. 5 and session will begin on Monday, Feb. 1.
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For more information contact: Sen. Pugh: (405) 521-5622 or Adam.Pugh@oksenate.gov