Press Releases

Health and Human Services Secretary Jerry Regier will appear before a special legislative committee on Monday to discuss ongoing efforts to close Eastern State Hospital in Vinita.

Regier is scheduled to testify at a meeting of the Legislative Oversight Committee on the Eastern State Hospital Transition on Monday, October 2nd, at 1:00 p.m. The committee will also hear from a citizens' advisory panel that has raised concerns about the Eastern State shutdown.

OKLAHOMA CITY - In response to the increasing fire danger across Oklahoma, a joint interim study meeting on fire danger and hay supply is scheduled for Wednesday, September 27th at 10:00 AM, according to Senator Frank Shurden, D-Henryetta and Representative M.C. Leist, D-Morris.

The interim study will focus on problems the recent dry weather has created and will address the wildfires, crop damage and the number of homes burned in recent weeks.

Even though he was the chief architect of the plan to close Eastern State Hospital in Vinita, Health and Human Services Secretary Jerry Regier is trying to dodge responsibility for recent problems associated with the shutdown. That according to a state lawmaker who has repeatedly cautioned Regier about moving too quickly to close the mental health facility.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Recognized for his "outstanding dedication to Oklahoma's children," Senator Mike Morgan was honored today at a ceremony in downtown Oklahoma City for his legislation aimed at fighting child abuse.

The award was presented by the Oklahoma Professional Society on the Abuse of Children in connection with the 8th Oklahoma Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect and Healthy Families Oklahoma 2000 Conference.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Kelly Haney wants to know if Oklahoma is doing everything possible to maximize its international trade potential. The Senate Leader is in the midst on an economic development and cultural exchange program that will take him through parts of Europe and Asia.

Oklahoma's only passenger rail service will soon be faster and better, according to a state legislator who has worked hard to expand Amtrak's presence in the state.

State Senator Dave Herbert said the Heartland Flyer will be able to increase its speed and add a lounge-dinette car, thanks to actions taken by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

The state entity that currently regulates electric utilities is continuing its efforts to sabotage electric restructuring in Oklahoma - this time by issuing a flawed report that attempts to link an Oklahoma proposal with a vastly different restructuring statute in California.

Senator Kevin Easley, who authored electric restructuring legislation this year, said the latest report from the State Corporation Commission offers a blatantly distorted view of Oklahoma's restructuring efforts.

OKLAHOMA CITY - A recent study by a nationally recognized research group concludes that national test scores were actually higher in states with greater per-pupil expenditures. That's according to Senator Cal Hobson, Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education.

"Recent comments by Governor Keating's Education Secretary claiming Oklahoma's decade long ACT increases can't be attributed to funding are typical, but they are just plain wrong," said Senator Hobson.

Citing the report of an independent actuary, the State Senate is pressing its call for another reduction in workers compensation rates. Senator Brad Henry, who authored workers compensation reform legislation this year, will make the Senate's case for a rate cut when the State Board for Property and Casualty Rates holds its annual rate hearing on Thursday, September 7th.

If state regulators follow the advice of the actuarial study, it will result in the fifth reduction in workers comp rates in the last six years.