Randy Cowling
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?
Research at the University of Oklahoma is essential to discovering lifesaving measures. I would support establishing a multi-year line item in the Oklahoma State budget that helps offset any anticipated federal cuts.
Keywords: Research essential, Multi-year funding, Federal offsets
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?
First and foremost - I am committed to repairing trust between state government and the tribes. We have to work together. Possible legislation - * Create a state matching-fund program that helps tribes leverage federal dollars already available to them. * Fund shared regional lab and monitoring equipment (water testing, air quality sensors) that smaller tribal nations can access cooperatively, since not every tribe has the population or budget to build a standalone environmental science lab. * Formalize co-management agreements for state wildlife management areas, watersheds, and public lands that overlap historic tribal territory — giving tribal environmental departments a formal seat in land-use planning rather than an advisory-only role. * Fund joint state-tribal water monitoring networks along shared watersheds (the Arkansas, Verdigris, and Illinois River systems are the most contested), with shared data standards so tribal-collected data is automatically recognized by state agencies rather than needing separate validation. We must work together!
Keywords: Rebuild trust, Work together, Seat the table
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?
Yes, there needs to be a balance. A bill was signed this year requiring usage reporting but left a loophole for large-volume water purchasers (data centers, industrial facilities above a usage threshold). Close the utility-purchase loophole. Require any large-volume water purchaser to register and report consumption regardless of whether they hold a direct groundwater permit or buy through a rural water district — so usage is at least tracked, even where new permitting isn’t required.
Protect rural water district capacity. These districts weren’t built to supply large industrial users. I would support legislation that would require capacity studies and advanced public notice before a rural water district can enter into a large industrial water-supply contract. Rate payers and neighboring agricultural users should not be left short, AND they shouldn’t have to pay higher rates to support these high volume users.
We need to address conservation to reduce the decline of the Ogallala aquifer. Legislation might involve targeted conservation incentives in the Panhandle region would protect long-term agricultural viability.
Keywords: Balance needs, Close utility purchase Loophole, Protect rural water district capacity
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?
The Legislature should increase state matching funds to draw down more of the available federal orphan-well money before it’s exhausted.
While we are working with orphaned wells, we need stronger laws on bonding requirements for new wells so they can’t just walk away. Also, including removing any tax credits for those new wells if they are abandoned.
Work together with tribes on coordination for orphan wells on or near tribal land; this would include cost-sharing for repurposing the wells.
I would support tax incentives and streamlining the permit process for geothermal conversion.
We need to close the orphan well backlog by turning liabilities into geothermal assets.
Keywords: Access available federal funds, Stronger bonding requirements, Accountability and consequences for abandonment, Work together with tribes, Tax incentives for geothermal, Streamline permitting process
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?
Fortunately, Congress rejected cuts to NOAA, but that was for only a year. While it is a federally funded issue, the state legislature can protect the Oklahoma Mesonet - the state’s network of weather monitoring. I will support continued funding for this strategic network as it has and will save lives. We need to invest in the workforce pipeline of meteorologists.
Keywords: Protect Oklahoma Mesonet, Strengthen workforce pipeline
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 a pause on creation of data centers. Data centers need to be in industrial parks, not near schools or homes, DC need to pay their way for water and provide their own electricity to it does not impact rate payers. The Corporation Commission should restrict electric companies from charging rate payers for expanding their grid to accommodate DCs. I support legislation banning non disclosure agreements to hide DCs coming into a community. Transparency for the community is essential. I am opposed to long-term property tax breaks for these companies. We are talking about billion dollar companies that do not need tax breaks that impact local schools, fire protect, and law enforcement funding.
Keywords: Pause on creation of DC, Specify locations, Indemnify rate payers, No NDAs, No property tax giveaways
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?
Of Oklahoma’s 73 rural hospitals, 45 (62%) are at risk of closing and 18 (25%) are at immediate risk, according to the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform.
Oklahoma hospitals stand to lose an estimated $8.7 billion over the next decade from federal Medicaid cuts, with $5.13 billion of that hitting rural hospitals specifically.
I would support a drawdown of the Rural Health Transformation Program funds to distribute to the rural hospitals at immediate risk. It will not save all but some.
I would support more telehealth parity, legislation to require SoonerCare to reimburse telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person visits. This is all state-controlled.
Keywords: Max draw down of Rural Health Transformation Program funds, Telehealth parity reimbursements