Legislator Concerned About Drought

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A legislator from drought-stricken southwestern Oklahoma wants a House committee to look at how the state is handling the current drought and planning for a lingering dry spell.

Faxon Republican, Don Armes requested Tuesday’s hearing before the House Agriculture Committee. The public meeting starts at 9 a.m.

Armes’ district is about 100 miles southwest of Oklahoma City and includes parts of Comanche and Tillman counties.

While much of Oklahoma has recovered from a yearslong drought, far western Oklahoma and the Panhandle remain in drought conditions ranging from severe to exceptional. The worst drought is in far southwest Oklahoma.

Armes said he wants to review the Emergency Drought Relief Fund created by the Legislature last year and receive testimony from officials with the state departments of agriculture and conservation.