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Showing: March, 2006

A bill to ensure school-age victims of violence have a greater say in limiting contact with their attacker is headed to the full Senate for consideration. Sen. Charlie Laster is author of SB 1597 which has now won approval from the full Senate.
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Sen. Laster explains his bill to protect school age victims from juvenile offenders.

The Senate on Wednesday chose the Mexican free-tailed bat an unusual bat with a migratory pattern that has become in a huge tourist attraction for one Oklahoma state park as the official state flying mammal of Oklahoma.

This is really a tourism bill, said Sen. Owen Laughlin, R-Woodward, author of Senate Bill 1678, which recognizes the Mexican free-tailed bat, also known as Tadarida brasiliensis, as the states flying mammal. The Selman Bat Cave out by Alabaster Caverns State Park is a great tourist attraction.

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Senator Laughlin Talks About Bill to Make Bat State Flying Mammal.


SB 1747 Could Be Signed into Law in Matter of Days

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Sen. Gumm's closing debate in favor of SB 1747.


An original painting depicting the first president of the University of Oklahoma was unveiled in the Oklahoma State Senate today. Painted by Norman artist Mike Wimmer and sponsored by OU President David Boren, his wife, Molly Shi Boren, and Senator Cal Hobson, the original artwork portrays David Ross Boyd planting one of the first trees on the university campus.
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Painting dedication with comments from Sen. Hobson, President Boren and artist Mike Wimmer.
Family Comes to Capitol to Support SB 1037


With the family of Caitlin Wooten sitting in the Senate gallery this morning, the Senate unanimously approved The Caitlin Wooten Act with bi-partisan support. The author of Senate Bill 1037, Senator Susan Paddack, said with the bills approval by the Senate, it now awaits action in the House of Representatives.
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Sen. Paddack urges support of the Caitlin Wooten Act.
Senate Approves Sales Tax Holiday
Education Tax Credit, Retirement Income Tax Exemption Sent to House


A measure creating a back-to-school sales tax holiday passed off the Senate floor Tuesday and is headed for the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 1665 by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Jay Paul Gumm was approved by a 42-5 vote. The measure is part of the Senate Democrats “Agenda to Empower the Middle Class” and is supported by Governor Brad Henry.
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Sen. Gumm urges members to support his tax holiday bill.
Sen. Gumm says retailers throughout the state lose customers to Texas during sales tax holiday weekend in August.
Senate Approves Sales Tax Holiday
Education Tax Credit, Retirement Income Tax Exemption Sent to House


A measure creating a back-to-school sales tax holiday passed off the Senate floor Tuesday and is headed for the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 1665 by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Jay Paul Gumm was approved by a 42-5 vote. The measure is part of the Senate Democrats “Agenda to Empower the Middle Class” and is supported by Governor Brad Henry.
read more.

Sen. Gumm urges members to support his tax holiday bill.
Sen. Gumm says retailers throughout the state lose customers to Texas during sales tax holiday weekend in August.

The full Senate has given its approval to legislation targeting drug runners who bring meth into Oklahoma from super labs in Mexico. Senate Bill 1713, by Sen. Charles Wyrick, could land major importers behind bars for life.

“We’ve had tremendous success in reducing the numbers of illegal meth labs in our state by placing limits on the purchase of medicines that contain the ingredients needed to make methamphetamine,” said Wyrick, D-Fairland. “Now we need to address the other source of meth—the major importers.”

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Sen. Wyrick says bill goes after meth importers.

Protecting Oklahoma's children from internet predators is the focus of Senate Bill 1479 which was approved today by the State Senate. Senator Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, is primary author of the bill.

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Sen. Wilson explains why his bill is needed.


Senator Susan Paddack, a Democrat from Ada, said she is pleased a measure that will enhance the accountability in Oklahoma classrooms won the approval of the full Senate today.

“If we want Oklahoma to be even more successful, we must offer our children the best education possible,” Paddack said. “And that means making Oklahoma classrooms more accountable through end of instruction testing and through additional support for students to achieve their maximum potential.”

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Sen. Paddack discusses provisions of SB 1792.