Audio

Showing: January, 2006

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan and members of the Senate Democratic Caucus today announced their “Agenda for a Safer Oklahoma” at the Oklahoma State Capitol.
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Sen. Morgan, Sen. Corn & Sen. Paddack discuss Democratic Agenda for Safer Oklahoma.
Senator Kerr Remembered as Statesman

State Senator Robert. M. Kerr is being remembered as a statesman and gentleman. After waging a long and difficult battle, the 3yearold lawmaker has lost his bout with cancer. Surrounded by family and friends, he passed away Wednesday morning shortly before seven at the OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City. Kerr had first been diagnosed with cancer 2 years ago, but had been in remission for years. Doctors discovered the cancer had returned in early 200. read more.

Sen. Dick Wilkerson remembers Sen. Robert M. Kerr.
Motion to Sine Die audio with Asst. Floor Leader Sen. Angela Monson and Sen. Jay Paul Gumm presiding and Sen. Robert Kerr making the motion.
Senator Kerr Remembered as Statesman

State Senator Robert. M. Kerr is being remembered as a statesman and gentleman. After waging a long and difficult battle, the 3yearold lawmaker has lost his bout with cancer. Surrounded by family and friends, he passed away Wednesday morning shortly before seven at the OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City. Kerr had first been diagnosed with cancer 2 years ago, but had been in remission for years. Doctors discovered the cancer had returned in early 200. read more.

Sen. Dick Wilkerson remembers Sen. Robert M. Kerr.
Motion to Sine Die audio with Asst. Floor Leader Sen. Angela Monson and Sen. Jay Paul Gumm presiding and Sen. Robert Kerr making the motion.
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State Sen. Scott Pruitt, today introduced legislation reducing the state income tax from 6.25 percent to 4.9 percent. When fully implemented in 2007, it would be an annual, across the board cut in the state income tax cut of $481 million.

Pruitt cited double-digit growth in state spending last year alone and at least $610 million in new money in the next fiscal year as evidence the cut was necessary and affordable.
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Sen. Pruitt says that through decreasing the state's income tax rate Oklahoma will see tremendous economic growth like that seen in states such as Nevada, Florida, Tennessee and Texas that don't have a state income tax.

State Sen. Kenneth Corn is calling on fellow members to help pass three measures aimed at removing patronage and politics in appointments and redistricting. Corn, D-Poteau, said he has introduced measures establishing specific qualifications for the appointments of tag agents and county election board secretaries, as well as a measure creating an independent commission for legislative redistricting.
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Sen. Corn pushes measures. 

Former State Senator Angela Monson is being honored for her distinguished service in the Oklahoma Legislature. On Thursday, January 26, the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women will present Monson with the Kate Barnard Award. The award is given annually to an outstanding woman in public service.
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Senator Clark Jolley, REdmond, today announced that he has requested an Attorney Generals opinion on the legality of Oklahoma legislators to have discussions with, hear testimony from and receive contributions from parties which are suing the Oklahoma Legislature. read more.

Sen. Jolley has asked for an AG opinion on dealings with OEA.

State Sen. John Ford will continue to push for a new law to prohibit anyone from giving or accepting campaign contributions in any state government building—including the State Capitol.

“We’re here to do the business of the people and I believe my fellow members act in good faith. But I worry about the public’s perception when people are giving and accepting campaign contributions here at the Capitol,” said Ford, R-Bartlesville. “That’s why I filed Senate Bill 1025.”
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Sen. Ford discusses proposal to ban Capitol Contributions.

Building on past successes and providing innovative solutions for the future, Senate Democrats unveiled their legislative agenda to “Strengthen Small Business” Tuesday afternoon at the Oklahoma State Capitol.
Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan and Shawnee Senator Charlie Laster teamed up to make the announcement.
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Audio from Senate Democrat press conference including Senate Pres Pro Tempore Mike Morgan discussing expansion of insurance premium assistance for small businesses, Senate Judiciary Chairman Charlie Laster discussing reforms for lawsuits and attorney advertisement and Senator Jay Paul Gumm discussing legislation to help more middle class families save for college.

State Senator Brian Crain has filed legislation to identify registered sex offenders on their state driver’s license. Under Senate Bill 1426, convicted sex offenders would be given 180 days after being notified by the Department of Corrections to get a new license reflecting their status as a sex offender or face cancellation of their license for one year.

“I simply want to make sure we are using every resource available to protect children from molesters and rapists,” said Crain, R-Tulsa. “The sex offender registry is already the law and is available to the public. read more.

Sen. Crain's bill would put sex offender info on driver's licenses.