Thirty-nine-year-old Mark Lawson is running for his third term as State Representative for House District 30.
Lawson was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2016. In a 2018 interview with Sapulpa Times, he said he got involved because of the budgetary issues facing the state, but also ” I wanted to address some policy. What I saw here in the district was the break down of the family unit, a lot of single parent households. I’m not saying that it’s a bad thing, but it is prevalent. And with a single income there are a lot of secondary and tertiary issues face those families when it comes to providing for the needs of those kids. I wanted to address those issues at the state level.”
In his first year in office, Lawson was appointed as the vice-chairman of the children, youth and family services committee, which is the working policy committee, pretty self-explanatory, dealing with children, youth and family services.
He believes the key to Oklahoma’s prosperity begins with our families at home. His primary focus during his legislative service has been children and family issues. Mark has championed legislation to strengthen families and reduce childhood trauma.
Lawson spent many years advocating for children and families before being elected. His work at the Youth Services of Tulsa’s Safe Place program and the Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis gave him firsthand experience to the struggles many of our families face. Mark also served as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for abused and neglected children in Creek County, and is a former chairman of the Youth Services of Creek County’s board of directors.
Currently, Lawson serves as Chairman for the Appropriations and Budget subcommittee for Human Services, which oversees 10% of the entire state budget. Additionally, he serves on the full Appropriations and Budget committee and the standing committees on Government Efficiency and Children, Youth & Family Services.
During Lawson’s tenure, Oklahoma has seen an increase to the education budget each year since 2017, including two teacher pay raises during that time.
Important bills authored in 2020 by Mark Lawson
House Bill 1282, protects children 12 years of age or younger from being placed in a state juvenile detention facility. It also sets limits for 13- and 14-year-olds admitted to detention. The bill is part of an overall reform of the state’s juvenile justice system. It passed both chambers of the Legislature with unanimous consent.
Senate Bill 1739—also known as The Barbara Hoover Act—allows for monitoring that is currently allowed in nursing homes to be utilized in other nursing facilities, assisted living centers and continuum of care facilities. T the bill is supported by AARP, the Oklahoma Silver-Haired Legislature and the Oklahoma Alliance on Aging.
Mark Lawson has been endorsed by many other organizations
The Fund for Children & Public Education recommends Mark Lawson for House District 30, saying, “Lawson has strong relationships with educators in his district and repeatedly supports public schools with his votes.”
The Tulsa World Editorial Board endorsed Mark Lawson for House District 30, saying, calling him a “courageous leader with a servant’s heart,” and commended him on his efforts on behalf of the juveniles this year, calling them “smart, progressive, and the work of someone who has been on the front lines of providing human services.”
Lawson was recognized as the 2020 Children’s Representative of the Year by Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, and he was awarded the 2019 Legislator of the Year for Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association.
Mark and his wife, Pam, have two wonderful children. Asher is a multiple sport athlete, and they welcomed their beautiful daughter, Ivy Ruth, in April 2020.
