Press Releases

Senator Taylor Comments on GOP Decision to Block TIS Repeal

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor, President Pro Tempore:

"Criminals across the state should be drinking a toast to the Republican lawmakers who voted to block the repeal of truth-in-sentencing."

OKLAHOMA CITY - Senate leaders are questioning the numbers released by Governor Keating today showing that a proposed Truth In Sentencing plan would cost $386 million dollars less previously reported. The new numbers the governor cited were prepared by a group called the Joint Center for Justice Studies.

Senator Mike Morgan is attempting to deliver a pay raise to education employees who were inadvertently omitted from a salary increase bill passed in the final day of the legislative session. The Stillwater legislator plans to introduce corrective legislation when the Legislature returns in special session on June 14th.

Senator Jerry Smith has joined other State and Federal Lawmakers in condemning the American Psychological Association for publishing a study which claimed that sexual relations between an adult and child might not be as harmful as traditionally believed, and could produce positive benefits for "willing" children.

"Given everything we know about the long term emotional devastation that these children suffer, I am shocked that the APA would publish such a study," said Senator Smith, R-Tulsa.

The technology needs of common education and vocational-technical education should be included in the ongoing discussions about a multi-million dollar capital improvements bond issue for higher education, according to three State Senators.

The talks to date have focused solely on the capital needs of higher education, but Senator Cal Hobson, Senator Penny Williams and Senator Ben Robinson want the negotiations expanded to include the other two branches of education.