Meredith McGinnis
DemocraticQ1 Oklahoma’s public research universities contribute substantially to the state’s research capacity, innovation economy, and workforce development. The University of Oklahoma alone reported more than $400 million in research and development expenditures across its three campuses in fiscal year 2022. NIH grants reimburse institutions for both direct research costs and indirect costs, the facilities, administration, and support infrastructure that make research possible. A proposed federal policy change would cap NIH reimbursement for indirect costs at 15%, below the rates many institutions currently receive. What policies, if any, would you support at the state or federal level to protect the long-term stability of Oklahoma’s university research infrastructure, and why?
I am in favor SB 1530, which became law without the Governor’s signature, to develop public-private incentive partnerships for research, and I am against any efforts to expand the denial of tenure to public research universities.
Q2 Tribal nations play an important role in Oklahoma’s environmental stewardship, but many face challenges in accessing resources and infrastructure for environmental science, land management, and water monitoring. What policies, if any, would you support to strengthen tribal capacity in these areas, and why?
I respect the authority and sovereignty of Tribal Nations and would seek their input on what is specifically needed. I believe we are interconnected, and no where is this more readily apparent than environmental issues. Where tribal lands suffer, so does the surrounding state.
Q3 Oklahoma’s agricultural economy depends on reliable access to water, but competing demands among agricultural producers, rural communities, and growing industries have created challenges for managing the state’s water resources. Recent legislation has updated groundwater reporting requirements, enforcement mechanisms, and requirements for certain data center cooling systems while protecting permitted users who reduce water use through conservation. How effective do you believe current policies are in protecting Oklahoma’s water resources? What additional policies, if any, would you support to balance the needs of agricultural producers, rural communities, and economic development?
I think we need to go further on protections related to data centers use of water. I support SB 1488 that established a moratorium on the construction on new data centers until November of 2029 to allow our Corporation Commissioner to study the long-term effects of the data centers. Whether from the energy usage, water use, waste water contaminants or noise, the data centers pose a threat to private property rights, state infrastructure and our natural resources.
Q4 The Oklahoma Corporation Commission lists nearly 17,000 wells on its official Orphan Well List. In 2026, legislation was introduced in Oklahoma to allow abandoned oil and gas wells to be repurposed for geothermal energy or energy storage. What policies, if any, would you support to address the remediation of Oklahoma’s orphaned oil and gas wells, including opportunities to safely repurpose suitable wells?
I support measures like HB 3173 that authorized conversion of orphaned wells for geothermal use and would be in favor of providing incentives for conversion of those sites for geothermal use, as well as more general tax breaks and incentives to private industry to safely plug those sites.
Q5 Oklahoma is home to nationally recognized severe weather research and forecasting facilities based in Norman, including NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory and the National Weather Center. These facilities support research and forecasting efforts that improve severe weather preparedness and public safety. What policies, if any, would you support to ensure continued investment in severe weather research and forecasting?
I would ensure funding for OETA continues as they operate the WARN system, which delivers severe weather warnings to all Oklahoma counties.
Q6 Oklahoma has experienced increased growth in data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure, creating new considerations for energy demand, utility planning, and ratepayer impacts (Oklahoma Senate, 2026). What policies, if any, would you support to guide utility oversight and infrastructure planning as data center development continues?
I support SB 1488 that established a moratorium on the construction on new data centers until November of 2029 to allow our Corporation Commissioner to study the long-term effects of the data centers. Whether from the energy usage, water use, waste water contaminants or noise, the data centers pose a threat to private property rights, state infrastructure and our natural resources.
Q7 Proposed federal changes to Medicaid financing could affect healthcare coverage and rural hospital funding nationwide (Congressional Budget Office, 2025; Saunders et al., 2025). What evidence-based policies, if any, would you support to improve rural healthcare access, community health outcomes, and the sustainability of rural healthcare systems in Oklahoma?
I am in favor of Medicaid expansion, which doesn’t just provide access to healthcare to low-income Oklahomans but also directly contributes to the ability of rural healthcare providers to stay in business. Federal changes are making that more difficult for our state budget, so I think we have to get creative with more preventative care initiatives. The long-term effect on our healthcare and our overall well-being is dismal without access to care, because people put off medical care until the only medical solutions are extremely costly and less likely to reverse health problems.