Yes, for returning Bice to Congress

I know, it is way too early to start the campaign noise. I may have jumped the gun with my full endorsement of U.S. Representative for Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District Stephanie Bice, but I was not the first to launch the campaign missile. The election is not until 2026, but she has already drawn an opponent. I was talking with her at a meeting last week and asked her if it was too early to endorse her and she said, “No.” I also asked her if she would ever run for governor and I again got a quick, “No.” One of the traits I admire about Bice is she does not stall or stammer. You ask her a question she answers.

I admire that she is willing to serve in this capacity. Folks serving in office take an incredible amount of abuse. They work hard and even if you do not agree with them, it is no reason to be ugly. They deserve our respect. I will never understand what makes some people so mean about a difference of opinion. Social media is to blame for the level of meanness these days.

For our readers that are new to the area or just do not know Bice well, I thought I would share some background to keep the record straight.

Bice has made significant strides in her political career and becoming a prominent figure in U.S. politics. She is the first American of Iranian descent to be elected to Congress, representing Oklahoma's 5th congressional district since January 3, 2021.

Bice’s father came to California from Zahedan, Iran, via Karachi, Pakistan, to study computer science and her mother is Dutch American. I relate to her so well because of being half Lebanese or Syrian as my grandfather would have said. I have a feeling that the ethnic part of our upbringing was similar. She graduated from Putnam City High School and later earned a bachelor's degree in marketing with a minor in international business from Oklahoma State University.

Before entering politics, Bice worked in financial oversight, business strategy, and marketing for her family's technology company in Oklahoma City. She also served as vice president of business development for a boutique digital marketing agency. I always like folks in office, any office, that have small business experience. You just have a distinct perspective on life when you have learned what it means to make a payroll. Her experience helps you understand the terrific way she conducts herself in office.

I am never sure why anyone runs for office, but Bice's political journey began in 2014 when she was elected to the Oklahoma Senate, representing the 22nd district. She was reelected in 2018 with a significant majority. During her tenure in the Oklahoma Senate, Bice served on several committees, including the Subcommittee on General Government and Transportation, and the Business, Commerce & Tourism, Finance, and Public Safety committees. She was also elected Assistant Majority Floor Leader by the Senate Republican Caucus in 2016.

One of her notable legislative achievements was sponsoring House Bill 1269, which provided

relief to individuals serving felony prison sentences for crimes that are now misdemeanors. Instead of automatically granting retroactive relief, the law directed the Pardon and Parole Board to establish an accelerated, single-stage commutation docket to review eligible cases. Bice also sponsored Senate Bill 142, which addressed the overuse of powerful antipsychotic drugs for nursing home patients who had not received a psychiatric diagnosis or given informed consent. She was also instrumental in getting our liquor laws up to date and that is the reason we can now buy beer and wine in grocery stores. It also allowed grocery stores to sell “strong” beer which eliminated all the 3.2 beer confusion that went on for so many years in Oklahoma.

In 2020, Bice was elected as the U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district, defeating the incumbent Democrat Kendra Horn with 52.1% of the vote. During her time in Congress, Bice has served on the committees for Armed Services and Science, Space, and Technology, as well as the Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth.

Bice's leadership skills have been recognized both at the state and national levels. In her first year in the Oklahoma Senate, she was honored as one of fifty-two nationwide legislators for the State Legislative Leaders Foundation Emerging Leaders Class of 2015. She was also named a GOPAC Emerging Leader and an Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce Rising Star in the same year.

Stephanie Bice's journey from a marketing professional to a U.S. Representative is a testament to her dedication and leadership. Her legislative achievements and commitment to her constituents have made her a respected figure in American politics.

Changes in Medicaid and SNAP for 2026

The "Big Beautiful Bill" signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025, introduces significant changes to both Medicaid and SNAP.

Medicaid Changes

Funding Reductions: The bill includes substantial cuts to Medicaid, totaling approximately $1 trillion over 10 years through 2034. These cuts aim to reduce federal spending to offset tax breaks.

Work Requirements: Starting January 1, 2027,

adults aged 19–64 with incomes between 100% and 138% of the federal poverty level must work, volunteer, or attend school for at least 80 hours per month to maintain eligibility. Exemptions apply for pregnant individuals, those with disabilities, caregivers of children under fourteen, or those in high-unemployment areas.

Increased Eligibility Checks: Starting December 31, 2026, states must conduct Medicaid eligibility redeterminations every six months instead of annually, increasing the risk of coverage loss due to missed paperwork.

SNAP Changes

New Work Requirements: Roughly three million people could lose SNAP benefits due to expanded work requirements. These requirements include working, volunteering, or attending school for a certain number of hours per month. The entire process will be to get folks not eligible to receive SNAP benefits off the program. Up to now it was all federal money. As Bice explained it, if states like California with a huge percentage not eligible number want to keep those folks on the benefits program it is fine, but they will have to pay for it. It is time that the states had some skin in the game, she said.

New crosswalks downtown

If you have not been in downtown Edmond lately, you will notice a substantial change when you come. It is the markings for the crosswalks. It is so much better. The stripes are bold, long and drivers cannot miss them.

It is one of the safety measures we have been waiting for to help drivers understand that there is a crosswalk that might have people walking in it. For years I have complained about the efforts to make our downtown more “walkable” but not making safety improvements. The new stripes are a great start, and we look forward to seeing more of them.

We do have so many more walkers than we had in downtown Edmond when we first opened the paper 25 years ago. It is a wonderful thing, but we want to keep those walkers safe. You can do your part when you are driving downtown. Please slow down and look out for the blind spot on every car where the windshield meets the door.

(Ray Hibbard, publisher of Edmond Life & Leisure, may be reached at ray@edmondpaper.com)