As the 2025 legislative session comes to a close, I want to thank everyone who reached out, weighed in and helped shape the work we did at the Capitol. Altogether, the Legislature sent 527 measures to the governor’s desk. While more bills were vetoed this year than in sessions past, the House took action to override 47 of those vetoes, reaffirming our commitment to representing the will of the people in our districts.
In addition to passing legislation the House also completed its annual review of administrative rules. These rules, written by state agencies to implement laws, must be reviewed and approved by the Legislature before they can take effect. This year, we moved away from the usual all-in-one resolution approach and instead considered the rules in six separate measures. This made the process more transparent and allowed us to give focused attention to concerns raised by Oklahomans—including many of you who contacted me about rules proposed by the State Department of Education.
One bill I was especially proud to support this year was House Bill 2758—the PACT Act. For folks in our part of the state, good roads and safe bridges aren’t a luxury—they’re a lifeline. This bill helps make sure our county roads and bridges get the funding they need by creating a dedicated fund just for that purpose. It doesn’t raise taxes. Instead, it shifts existing dollars from the gross production tax to better support rural infrastructure. That means more reliable routes for farmers, school buses, first responders and families just trying to get where they need to go. It’s a commonsense investment in the backbone of Oklahoma.
As we head into the interim, I’ll be submitting requests for interim studies on several issues that matter to folks in House District 35. These studies give us the opportunity to dig deeper into topics outside the regular legislative calendar and help shape future legislation.
This past week, I had the honor of attending a ribbon cutting for “The Farm,” a new wrestling training facility in Stillwater founded by Coleman Scott. This facility is more than just mats and weights—it’s an investment in the next generation of Oklahoma athletes. Coleman is helping equip young wrestlers with the discipline, skills and support they need to succeed, and I’m proud to see that kind of leadership right here in Oklahoma.
We also paused on the House floor this week to recognize National Police Week and the men and women who wear the badge with honor. We honored several officers for their bravery and service—just a small representation of the courage law enforcement shows every day in our communities. Their dedication, sacrifice and strength are what help keep Oklahoma safe, and I’ll always stand in support of those who protect and serve.
As always, I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve you at the Capitol and look forward to continuing that work throughout the interim. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any concerns or questions. You can always reach me by email at [email protected].
Ty Burns serves District 35 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes Pawnee County and parts of Creek, Noble, Osage and Payne counties.
