Patrick B. McGuigan, Writer, The Metropolis Sentinel
For The Southwest Ledger
Oklahoma Metropolis – Senator Kim David, R-Porter, is a lady of “firsts.”
Elected to the Legislature in 2010, she was the primary Republican lady to function Majority Whip and the primary lady ever put accountable for the Senate Appropriations Committee. After the 2018 election she turned the primary lady ever named majority chief for the Oklahoma State Senate.
Her husband, Dan, is a retired federal legislation enforcement officer. Her daughter is an officer within the state Air Nationwide Guard, and her son served within the Marine Corps.
An entrepreneur, David is founding father of her personal properties firm.
Over a decade in elective workplace, Senator David has been the main target of frequent studies at CapitolBeatOK. com, the net information service I’ve in Oklahoma Metropolis.
Early this yr, Sen. David described herself as “deeply honored” after administering (in a Capitol ceremony) the enlistment oath to Chief Grasp Sgt. Scott Irwin, Oklahoma Nationwide Guard Joint Power Headquarters Superintendent. She mentioned, “I’ve seen the ceremony finished many instances however being the one to manage the oath was a primary for me. It actually was touching and a privilege to have the ability to do that.”
Kim David has confirmed herself an advocate of prison justice reform and innovation.
Starting in 2014 and persevering with thereafter she pioneered the “pay for fulfillment” Legal Justice Revolving Fund. She advised The Metropolis Sentinel that her goal (working with the modern Tulsa program often known as Ladies in Restoration) was to help “girls at imminent danger of long-term incarceration.”
When one in every of her measures was debated, Senator David (in response to questions from colleagues), identified the “pay for fulfillment” idea was “already working within the non-public sector.”
Related applications had succeeded in Texas and different states, she identified, “to cut back taxpayer prices and enhance leads to the lives of people that have dedicated against the law.”
Nothing flawed with some imitation of the Lone Star State, in lots of issues however not in Soccer Fails and Transmission collapses.
Her willingness to check, be taught and apply life classes was little doubt cemented throughout her research at Oklahoma State College, the place she earned her Bachelor of Science diploma.
In 2018, I wrote a commentary when the Oklahoma Affiliation of Well being Plans (OAHP) launched a examine which anticipated Oklahoma might produce higher well being outcomes – and save virtually $400 million over a decade – by modernizing its Medicaid program.
Sen. David commented, “On this time of price range instability and a historic deficit, we as legislators should have a look at all methods doable to be fiscally accountable.”
She added, “Now isn’t the time for us to draw back from well being care innovation.”
Kim David continues Oklahoma’s custom of selecting girls to guide necessary capabilities in authorities.
Current protection of Sen. David’s work on well being care introduced contemporary to thoughts the legacy of an expensive good friend.
In a busy life, I’ve by no means had sufficient time to spend with my finest pals, together with these I most admire. One among them is Vicki Miles-LaGrange, my highschool classmate, now a retired U.S. District Decide. A cherished reminiscence is that a couple of years in the past, we had time for one good, lengthy dialog.
We lingered at an apt second, after many years by which I wrote tales and editorials about one or one other of her notable achievements (first Black elected governor of Ladies State, first Black lady U.S. lawyer in our area, first Black lady federal district decide within the state, to not point out high-ranking worldwide authorized delegate – appointed by Supreme Courtroom Chief Justice
William Rehnquist – advising growing nations on the rule of legislation).
After we caught up, Vicki had simply completed her time period as chief decide of Oklahoma’s federal western district. We spoke of many issues.
Musing, I mentioned to her: “Sometime, you’ll run out of firsts.” Vicki smiled as solely she will be able to smile.
With no remorse, she replied: “Sure, and that will likely be a superb day.”
I attempt for equity, whether or not in reporting or commentary, however “objectivity” is elusive regarding sure folks.
The ranks of recent pioneer girls like Miles-LaGrange and David proceed to extend, to the acquire of us all.
However these two girls will all the time reside, with a couple of others, at a particular nook of the previous reporter’s coronary heart.
NOTE: Pat McGuigan is writer of The Metropolis Sentinel newspaper, an impartial, non-partisan and locally-owned newspaper based mostly in Oklahoma Metropolis. He’s additionally founding father of CapitolBeatOK.com, a web-based information service. He and Vicki Miles attended Bishop McGuinness Highschool in Oklahoma Metropolis. Amongst different issues, they had been in theatre courses collectively, again within the day.
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