Rick Larsen
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?
The money that could be used by the state for scientific initiatives is leaving in the form of unpaid taxes on mineral rights. This must be reversed. Only then will this state have the capital to independently maintain current research infrastructure and advance in either established fields such as aerospace and agriculture, or new energy fields such as hydrogen fusion.
Keywords: The money that could be used by the state for scientific initiatives is leaving.
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?
Water, regardless of control, is the most valuable resource in Oklahoma, and protecting both quality and quantity should be a top priority with a robust testing schedule, pollutant prevention, and mitigation. Funds should be allocated to bolster each Ag Extension office located in every county which has First Nation lands to bolster tribal efforts.
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?
We need to rethink how and what we grow in Oklahoma. First, the drip irrigation technology being used in desert regions worldwide were developed at Texas A&M and OSU decades ago but are rarely used here, nor is crop rotation for nitrogen replenishment of the soil which has been recommended by the USDA since the 1930’s. Second, we need to rethink where and how data centers are built. Land that has no other use, like deserts, underground, using geothermal cooling rather than potable water or refrigerants, might be the answer.
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?
It has become standard practice in the industry, especially among unbonded drillers, to leave wells uncapped, declare bankruptcy, and move on to the next site, leaving the State holding the bag for capping and cleanup. Rather than accepting and underwriting bad business practices the state should concentrate on enforcement, holding bad actors to account and clawing back money spent on cleanup… THEN we can worry about repurposing.
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?
Simple. The research and training that come from the Storms Lab are important to everything from a Saturday cookout to industrial maritime, air traffic, and agriculture. If the Feds aren’t willing to pony up, then it is up to the state to fill the gap.
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?
This was answered in a previous response… We are building them in the wrong places.
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?
When I was growing up, you were hard-pressed to find a county without a publicly owned hospital. This is about will, folks. We must be willing to fund these facilities. The only other option is a continued decline in the health of the people of Oklahoma.