Twenty one Norman city representatives traveled to Washington, D.C. last week for the annual Washington, D.C. Fly-In to meet with lawmakers and advocate for federal employees and expansion projects in Norman.
The group, which visited the nation’s Capitol from April 7-9, included Norman Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Scott Martin, several Chamber of Commerce members and two OU student members, Jake Baker and Bradley Buss.
Ward 7 Councilmember and Mayor-Elect Stephen Tyler Holman, Ward 4 Councilmember Helen Grant, Ward 6 Councilmember Joshua Hinkle, Ward 8 Councilmember Scott Dixon and City Manager Darrel Pyle also attended the fly-in.
Martin said the group focused on three topics in conversations with lawmakers: the Department of Government Efficiency’s job cuts in Oklahoma, renovations to the Max Westheimer Airport and securing federal funding for the 36th Avenue NW expansion project.
“With all that's going on right now around discussion on the federal level, we're excited to be able to go up there and bring the message of why what they're doing and how that impacts local businesses here in Norman,” Martin said.
The group met with Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Rep. Tom Cole (R-Moore), Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Muskogee) and Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Cheyenne). They were unable to meet with Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Oklahoma City) and Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-Ada), so they met with some of their staff members, Martin said.
Federal job cuts, layoffs
DOGE is a Trump administration advisory committee that seeks to decrease government spending. Since its inception, it has issued layoffs hundreds of government jobs and canceled leases for several government buildings. In Oklahoma, employees have been laid off at the National Weather Center, with more layoffs rumored to come to Tinker Air Force Base.
Martin said the delegation defended the National Weather Center amid nationwide layoffs, and multiple legislators assured them they knew those jobs were important for public safety.
Holman said when Cole contacted officials at DOGE to advocate for the National Weather Center, they did not realize how vital it is for weather data and public safety.
Cole, whose congressional district includes Norman, told the fly-in group the National Weather Center will not experience massive funding cuts or any more layoffs, according to Holman.
According to Martin, Oklahoma lawmakers said the Trump administration has been receptive to their concerns over layoffs and, in some cases, canceled job cuts.
“They need to work hard to ensure that they're being as efficient and mindful as they can with taxpayer dollars,” Martin said. “But in our case, stuff we were talking to them about is really mission critical for the future of our state (and) country.”
Baker, an OU finance senior, said Mullin and Cole eased the Chamber of Commerce’s worries over layoffs, and Mullin encouraged them to directly contact him with their concerns. He said the members of the Chamber have a great relationship with Cole, and he fully supports his constituents.
Grant is also concerned that federal layoffs will soon impact the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the statement read. According to Grant, Mullin told the group that decisions about housing incentives, like workforce housing, should be left to the states.
“I hope for Oklahoma’s sake that (the Department of Housing and Urban Development) is not so dismantled that our resources are slow to arrive and administer when they finally do trickle down to us.” Grant wrote.
Max Westheimer Airport renovations
Martin said the group also promoted continued renovations to the Max Westheimer Airport, specifically, to update the terminal building so it’s able to support academic research.
Baker said the group showcased the aviation program and university, and lawmakers were supportive. Buss, an OU finance junior, said they also advocated for 100 new airplanes for the aviation program.
“When those academic programs are doing well, that leads to private sector job expansion and growth within Norman,” Martin said. “That's why these particular issues are really important to us.”
36th Avenue NW expansion project
The expansion project for 36th Avenue NW, which extends from Tecumseh Road to Indian Hills Road, was approved by a public vote in 2012, but construction still hasn’t started. 20% of funding is to be provided by the city, which voters approved in 2012, and 80% is to be from the federal government, which the fly-in group continues to advocate for, Martin said.
Holman said the city has been applying for that federal funding every year since 2016 but has been denied each time. The expansion would significantly improve traffic flow, he said.
In a statement to OU Daily, Dixon wrote that lawmakers are aware of the need to widen 36th Avenue NW and the struggle to begin the project.
“We are incredibly grateful for the leadership and advocacy of fellow Oklahomans who work on our behalf at the federal level each year, and appreciate the chance to ensure they are aware of local matters,” Dixon wrote.
City priorities
In a statement to OU Daily, Grant wrote that tariffs are a huge concern for city representatives.
The fly-in group was in D.C. before a 90-day pause on tariffs — which excludes China — was announced on April 9. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, Oklahoma’s largest importer and exporter is Canada, which is under a 25% tariff and currently has a 25% retaliatory tariff on the U.S.
They met with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where representatives spoke about tariffs in a presentation. The U.S. Chamber recognized that many products have patents, so it cannot be replicated in the U.S., and developing factories is time consuming.
According to Buss, representatives from the U.S. Chamber said President Donald Trump’s tariff policies are “unprecedented territory,” and it’s difficult for the Norman Chamber to make predictions, which he said is concerning. The U.S. Chamber assured it will continue to monitor tariffs’ economic impacts, he said.
Grant wrote that developing businesses in Norman creates prosperity for the workforce and the city as a whole.
“My optimism, while cautious, sees potential for Norman to further develop into a place where all workers can access opportunities to live, work, play,” the statement read.
The Oklahoma delegation is in a great position at the Capitol, Martin said, with lawmakers on key committees in defense, agriculture and spending; namely, Cole as chair of the Appropriations Committee.
Martin said Oklahoma lawmakers understand their constituents' concerns, but being face-to-face with them and able to share stories from their communities is impactful. By providing the facts, Martin said the fly-in group helped lawmakers make Oklahomans’ case to the administration.
“They're not in the businesses doing miracles, but they are in the business of identifying critical needs and trying their best to meet them,” Martin said.
Buss said lawmakers think fly-in visits are crucial, because it allows them to connect with the needs of their constituents and helps them hear what’s happening back home. If issues are never heard, they can’t be fixed, he said.
“They're listening, and they're receiving feedback, and they're doing the best that they can with the power that they have,” Buss said.
Holman, who will take office as mayor in July, said building relationships with members of the Oklahoma delegation will be essential to advocating for Norman. Lawmakers want their constituents to communicate with them, and Holman said he was particularly encouraged by Cole’s willingness to engage with him about city issues.
“I'll continue to be hopeful, and I appreciate the open line of communication that we have with him,” Holman said. “As mayor, I'll continue to advocate the best I can to them about those issues that impact Norman.”
This story was edited by Ana Barboza, Ismael Lele and Anusha Fathepure.
