Oklahoma House creates new tribal liaison post

OKLAHOMA CITY — An Okmulgee Republican is serving in a new role that the Oklahoma House of Representatives created to highlight the state’s tribal governments.

Rep. Scott Fetgatter is in charge of tribal & external affairs, beginning with the new session.

“We have needed to fill this gap for a long time,” Fetgatter said. “We need someone that can keep in constant contact not only with our sovereign tribal governments, but with our congressional delegation and our national and international commissions, as well as with our municipal and county governments. Building and strengthening these relationships will help us solve issues like renewing compacts between the state and the tribes, as well as help us better assist our citizens with infrastructure issues or numerous other concerns that exist at the city, county or national level.”

Fetgatter said the role also will have an economic development component, as he will be working with businesses and corporations to bring more jobs and growth to boost the state’s economy.

“Representative Fetgatter has years of experience building consensus between the House of Representatives and our state and national partners,” said House Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert, who named Fetgatter to the new position. “Keeping our House members informed on tribal governance issues as well as projects throughout the state, and even at the national level, that affect our constituents is vital.”

Fetgatter also is also serving as House chair of the Joint Committee on State-Tribal Relations. In the committee’s Dec. 30 meeting, members voted to ratify a 10-year vehicle registration compact with the Cherokee Nation that was set to expire by the end of the year

“This is an example of the Legislature working to foster a better working relationship with our sovereign tribal governments for the benefit of all of our citizens,” said Fetgatter, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation.

Fetgatter said he envisions using his new position to better inform House members on issues such as the needs of municipalities, counties, rural water districts and other local government entities throughout the state, whether those be county roads and bridges projects, water needs or broadband expansion.

He said he also hopes to be in closer contact with Oklahoma’s Congressional members, leading to quick response times should the Legislature need something from the federal level.