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Senate Bill 1495, known as the Kyle Williams Boating Safety Education Act, is one step closer to becoming law. That’s after winning final Senate approval Thursday afternoon. The legislation is named for 12 year old Kyle Williams of Edmond, who died as a result of a jet ski accident in August 2004.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan today rejected the state budget proposal agreed to by Governor Henry and Speaker Hiett.

After two days of negotiations and review, the Senate Leader said: “There is no deal.”
The Henry-Hiett tax cut proposal cuts too deep and disproportionately benefits the wealthy. The spending proposals are long on giveways and set-asides for special interests and short on funding for essential services, he said.

“I’m not willing to throw the people of the state of Oklahoma under the bus,” Morgan said. read more.

The budget needs of the state's District Attorneys have not been adequately addressed by Governor Brad Henry and Speaker Todd Hiett. Sen. Todd Lamb said he was terribly concerned that public safety will ultimately suffer for it.
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A measure to encourage cable television providers to offer a "family tier" of programming has now been approved by Governor Brad Henry. That's according to Sen. Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, principal author of SB 1697. The measure was co-authored by Rep. Lance Cargill, R-Harrah.

"Basically, this bill gives cable providers the option to provide customers with family friendly programming," said Coffee. "This includes programming that is suitable for the entire family to watch together, with shows for everyone from very young children to programs for general audiences." read more.

The Oklahoma State Senate honored Senator Scott Pruitt Tuesday who is completing his second and final term of service in the Senate to the citizens of Senate District 36. Unlike the many other senators who have to leave office this year because of term limits, Pruitt will not seek reelection in order to run for Lieutenant Governor.
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With family, friends, supporters and fellow lawmakers gathered in the Senate Chamber, Altus Republican Mike Schulz took the official oath of office, becoming the newest member of the Oklahoma State Senate. Sen. Schulz won the District 38 seat in a special election one week ago.

"This is a great day for my family and all our friends and supporters who share our vision for District 38 and for our state," said Schulz. "I am honored and humbled, but most of all I am excited to be on the job here in the State Senate."

State Sen. Frank Shurden said Gov. Brad Henry had joined the Senate and House in approving his legislation aimed at preventing the spread of disease by giving the Department of Health oversight of tattooing in the state. Gov. Henry signed that legislation on Wednesday.

“I’ve said all along, this is a public health issue. If these businesses fail to follow basic health guidelines, they could be spreading terrible diseases like Hepatitis or Aids,” said Shurden, D-Henryetta.
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SB 1037 is Key Plank of Senate Democrats’
Agenda to ‘Create a Safer Oklahoma’

A key plank of the Senate Democrats’ agenda to “Create a Safer Oklahoma” was signed into law today by Governor Brad Henry. Senate Bill 1037, known as the Caitlin Wooten Act, is authored by Democrat Senator Susan Paddack and State Rep. Wes Hilliard, also a Democrat. The bill is named after 16-year-old Caitlin Wooten.

"Fiscal conservatives, Democrats and Republicans alike, need to stand up and hold the line on cutting our income tax to 4.9 percent.

I can tell you this. The people of Oklahoma do not want another $45 dollar rebate check. They deserve better than that, and the Speaker of the House has publicly said he’s committed to doing a budget with a 4.9 percent cut. It is my hope he will uphold that commitment.