Representative Jim Grego

R

District 17

Hi, I'm Jim Grego and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 17th District.


representative

Leadership

Assistant Majority Whip

59th Legislature

News & Announcements

Jun 22, 2023
Recent Posts

Grego Blasts News of Talihina Veterans Center Closure

OKLAHOMA CITY – 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." Grego said he and the families of the veterans housed at the Talihina Veterans Center were totally blindsided by the news. There had been talk of leaving the Talihina center open until a new veterans center is completed in Sallisaw. The opening for that center is at least 18 months away, however, and the date of completion has been pushed back multiple times since the center was first bid in August 2020, Grego said. Just this year, the Legislature appropriated an additional $10.8 million towards completion of the center to meet rising construction costs. "This has proven to be a disaster," Grego said. "Our Veterans Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs should be focused solely on taking care of our veterans and their family members, but this latest move fails them." Grego said he's reached out to the governor's office expressing his disappointment as the governor has been in charge of appointing members to the commission. Grego's office also has been in contact with the ODVA. He said he's been told veterans can be placed into private care, but there's a question over who will pay for this. Other than that, they may be moved across the state to other veterans centers. Grego has been working to keep the Talihina Veterans Center open since he was first elected to legislative office in 2017. He said this latest news feels like the rug has been pulled out from under him and the constituents he serves. "It's beyond frustrating," he said.

May 11, 2023
Recent Posts

Haiden Fleming Memorial Act to Update 911 Service Sent to Governor

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, on Thursday accepted Senate amendments on a bill that would update the state's 911 system in the hope of saving more lives. House Bill 1590 passed the House on fourth reading and now moves to the governor for his consideration of signing it into law.   The bill is named for Haiden Fleming, a 22-year-old Oklahoman who died after suffering a cardiac incident. He was the former student of Sen. Blake "Cowboy" Stephens, R-Tahlequah, who is a co-author of the bill. Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, is the Senate principal author.   The bill was initially requested by the state's 911 Commission, and came together after Grego held an interim study on the issue.   "We heard in that study from several constituents whose children faced life-threatening situations while 911 calls were rerouted through different dispatch centers, and ambulance drivers struggled with navigating using outdated maps," Grego said. "The same thing happened in the case of the young man for whom this bill is named. Updating our system will save lives."   Grego said the issue is a particular concern in rural areas or where someone who lives too close to a county line may face time delays while 911 calls are sent to different call centers while the system tries to locate their address. That was the case for Haiden Fleming.   "This upgrade will ensure pinpoint accuracy so no matter where someone lives, 911 will know exactly where that person is and get them the assistance they need," Grego said.    In addition to infrastructure and computer upgrades, the bill also requires mandatory CPR training for emergency telecommunicators and will equalize fees charged for the service so it is uniform across the state. Grego said he's hopeful the updated fee structure will allow some communities to hire more dispatchers to help with emergency calls. He pointed out that the state's 911 system was last updated in 1975. 

Mar 20, 2023
Recent Posts

911 Next Generation Bill Moves to Senate

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, on Monday passed a bill in the House that would update the state's 911 computer system in the hope of saving more lives. House Bill 1590 was requested by the state's 911 Commission. Grego said currently when people call 911, the system may find their home address, but it may not. "I have multiple instances, especially in rural areas or where someone lives too close to a county line, of time delays where a person might be bounced around to different call centers while the system tries to locate their address. This update will bring 911 service into the next generation, providing pinpoint accuracy, saving precious time and lives." Grego held an interim study on the issue in 2021. Contained in the study was testimony from several constituents whose children faced life-threatening situations while 911 calls were rerouted and outdated maps hindered ambulance drivers from accessing their homes. "This will ensure that no matter where someone lives, 911 would know exactly where that person is and get them the assistance they need," Grego said.  He pointed out that the state's 911 system was last updated in 1975 and is in real danger of collapsing. The bill now moves to the state Senate where it is authored by Case Murdock, R-Felt. The title is off the bill meaning it is still a work in progress. It would have to return to the House for final passage.