Recent stories should alarm all Oklahomans. And hopefully, wake us up to demand our elected leaders take a common sense approach to addressing critical issues.  

The first story I’m referring to was reported by Oklahoma Watch. The story said Congressman Frank Lucas recently submitted legislation seeking $16.6 million in earmarks to help fund climate research at Fort Reno. That’s a staggering increase from the little more than $1 million Lucas has typically sought for the federal operation.

Even more concerning, the $16.6 million request is a prelude to a $50 million scheme that Lucas is pushing to create a “pilot project” for climate research, totaling $66.6 million. This is Kamala Harris-type stuff from a “conservative” Oklahoma congressman.

Lucas was elected in 1994 and has made it his personal mission to keep Fort Reno from being returned to the Cheyenne and Arapaho people no matter the cost.

Lucas has been challenged numerous times to produce the information he claims shows the federal government has twice paid our Tribes for the Fort Reno property. He has not produced anything. He’s all smoke and mirrors.  

Yes, the federal government paid the Cheyenne and Arapaho people twice for land in western Oklahoma, but Fort Reno was not included in either payment because of the August 13, 1946, cutoff date established by federal law.

Fort Reno was still under military control at that time. Records clearly show that more than 9,000 acres were specifically excluded from the previous settlements.

Lucas is now going so far as to “carry water” for the worn-out policies enacted by former President Barack Obama. The far-left policies that sought to cripple the oil and gas industry in the United States.  

Is Congressman Lucas truly a conservative? His actions would indicate he’s not at all conservative.  

The proposal put forward by my C&A leadership team, to create jobs and opportunities for tribal members and all Oklahomans, is much more conservative. It would allow the C&A to become self-sufficient, all while creating much-needed and good-paying jobs for central and western Oklahoma.  

The second story I saw that should cause Oklahomans great concern reported that half of the state’s more than 1.6 million households cannot afford basic necessities.

That’s totally unacceptable and shines a terrible light on policies that often create barriers to job growth. Especially jobs that could provide above average pay and benefits.  

Please stand with me in telling Congressman Lucas to stop playing games with the lives of Oklahomans. Our state deserves better. Our people deserve better.