Opposition to state prison rodeo

Young was against the reinstatement of the Oklahoma State Penitentiary Rodeo. In 2024, Jim Grego co-authored House bill 3749^[20] and Senate bill 1427,^[21] along with Senator Warren Hamilton to carve out 8.3 million dollars to bring back the Oklahoma State Penitentiary Rodeo, despite others, such as a representative of the Arnall Family Foundation, calling out the move as exploitative and dangerous toward the inmates and animals and a waste of funds that could be spent on reforms.^[22] The Oklahoma Department of Corrections claims "the total cost of the renovations is $9.3 million, and after contributing $1 million, they're asking the legislature to help fund the remaining $8.3 million, but some lawmakers argue that money should be spent on other issues," such as Representative Andy Fugate.^[23] As of 2024, Louisiana "is the only state that has a behind-the-walls prison rodeo."^[24] ODOC Executive Director Steve Harpe claims that it would bring in revenue for the department and support functions like a call center, and that Netflix, ESPN, and PBR are eyeing Oklahoma because of it.^[25] In 2023, George Young said that taxpayer dollars being used to revive the rodeo could be better spent on education programs for inmates or initiatives to improve prison health care.^[26]