Representative Clay Staires

R

District 66

Hi, I'm Clay Staires and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 66th District.

representative

News & Announcements

Aug 8, 2025
Recent Posts

House Members Join AAM Conference at Capitol

OKLAHOMA CITY - Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, joined lawmakers and industry leaders Thursday morning at the Oklahoma State Capitol to speak at the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Multistate Collaborative, a national forum focused on shaping the future of flight.  Hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, the event drew stakeholders from across the country to discuss policy, infrastructure and innovation related to electric aircraft, vertical takeoff systems and Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (sUAS).  “Oklahoma has a proud aviation legacy, and we're not slowing down,” said Miller, who chairs the House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Transportation. “From workforce development to regulatory modernization, our state is making strategic investments to lead the next chapter in aerospace. It was an honor to stand with industry experts and fellow lawmakers committed to keeping Oklahoma on the leading edge.” Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City, also attended the event and spoke about the broader impact of aviation on Oklahomans.  “Thankful to Representative Nicole Miller for inviting me to sit with her and learn more about AAM,” said Hefner. “It's exciting to be a part of the second largest industry in Oklahoma and learn how this can help other areas like health care and people in Oklahoma who have a disability.” Rep. Clay Staires, R-Skiatook, emphasized the importance of streamlining and updating aeronautics policy to support future growth in the sector.  “As the aviation industry evolves, our policies must evolve with it,” said Staires. “Events like this help us better understand the needs of the industry and the opportunities for Oklahoma. Solving traffic congestion will require us to think vertically rather than horizontally, and advanced air mobility gives our state the chance to lead that shift. We’re working to ensure Oklahoma remains competitive and ready to support this new era of air mobility.”  Formed in 2023, the AAM Multistate Collaborative brings together state leaders working to prepare for the integration of advanced air mobility into local communities. The group focuses on aligning state-level planning with evolving federal guidance.

Oct 7, 2024
Recent Posts

STATEMENT: Reps Issue Joint Statement Opposing Tinker AFB "National Coming Out Day" Event

A group of legislators is opposing an event at Tinker Air Force Base called "National Coming Out Day" and the affirmation that homosexuals are "born this way." The following statement is issued by Reps. Jim Olsen, R-Roland; David Hardin, R-Stilwell; Clay Staires, R-Skiatook; Kevin West, R-Moore; Rick West, R-Heavener; and Danny Williams, R-Seminole. "As one of the nation's most important and strategic military bases, Tinker should remain focused on our national defense and not expend taxpayer dollars to promote a lifestyle contrary to the values of the majority of Oklahomans. It is offensive to use the statement 'born this way' as there is no evidence to support this. We view this as completely unnecessary for this campaign. In fact, we find the entire campaign unnecessary. Is Tinker next prepared to host a day to celebrate people who believe in sex only after marriage between a man and a woman? We would think not."

Jun 14, 2024
Recent Posts

Representatives Commend Governor's Line-Item Veto of Education Budget Limits Bill

A group of legislators on Friday praised the governor's line-item veto of Sections 15 and 16 of Senate Bill 1122, which would have placed spending limits on the State Department of Education (SDE) for its Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which goes into effect July 1. The statement is issued by Reps. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid; Chris Banning, R-Bixby; Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle; Rusty Cornwell, R-Vinita; Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont; David Hardin, R-Stilwell; JJ Humphrey, R-Lane; Tom Gann, R-Inola; Jim Grego, R-Wilburton; Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa; Mark Lepak, R-Claremore; Cody Maynard, R-Durant; Jim Olsen, R-Roland; Clay Staires, R-Skiatook; Kevin West, R-Moore; and Rick West, R-Heavener. "We'd like to thank Governor Stitt for his thoughtful line-item veto of Sections 15 and 16 of Senate Bill 1122," they said. "These portions of the bill would have done nothing to improve the education of Oklahoma students and instead would have significantly damaged the Department of Education's ability to carry out its mission." The lawmakers said Section 15 of SB1122 would have required SDE to apply for every federal grant, while Section 16 would have included provisions that forbid SDE from using any money to secure media interviews or public relations, or for other public promotional purposes. The group noted that no other agency is subject to these restrictions. State agencies are granted the autonomy to decide which grants to apply for and almost every state agency spends money to communicate to the public about particular programs or services offered. Section 16 would have singled out and severely limited SDE in this function. The lawmakers spoke about the Teacher of the Year program, teacher recruitment efforts, certain financial disclosures, and other public relations messages that would have been hampered should this measure have been signed into law. On Friday afternoon, the governor issued Executive Order 2024-12, which prohibits all state agencies, rather than inequitably highlighting a specific agency, from entering into sole source contracts with public relations, marketing, or communications firms and vendors, as well as requires all PR vendors be procured through a 30-day request for proposal.