Press Releases

Oklahoma's education system would bear the brunt of Governor Keating's income tax cut program, losing an estimated $599 million annually if the tax reduction is fully implemented, according to a Senate analysis of the Governor's program.

Governor Keating has proposed that the state income tax rate be reduced from 6.75% to 3.75% -- a cut that would ultimately slice $1.1 billion out of the state budget.

A political consultant who was handed a controversial $400,000 public relations contract through the state marriage initiative lied to reporters who inquired about whether she was abiding by the terms of the agreement, according to a State Senator who has been critical of the contract.

Senator Kevin Easley said Mary Myrick's statements in the Wednesday Edition of the Daily Oklahoman are not accurate.

When Oklahoma educators and veterans hold their annual lobby days at the State Capitol Wednesday, they should focus a good deal of their attention on the potential budget impact of Governor Keating's tax relief program, according to a Senate leader.

The Governor has proposed a series of tax reductions this year, including an income tax cut that when fully implemented would total approximately $1.1 billion - almost one-quarter of the state appropriated budget.

OKLAHOMA CITY - In light of recent tragedies in California and elsewhere, teenagers hoping to rent or purchase violent video games will likely run into a roadblock if a bill authored by Senator Scott Pruitt, R-Broken Arrow continues to push forward in the legislature.

A political consultant who was handed a $400,000 public relations contract through the state marriage initiative hasn't complied with the terms of the agreement, prompting a state lawmaker to call for suspension of the contract.

The contract for Mary Myrick, a Republican political consultant, stipulates that she provide quarterly reports to Department of Human Services, including "itemization of the costs paid and the costs incurred," but the first report filed by her Oklahoma City public relations firm contains no such information.

Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson (R-OKC) formally requested in a February 28 memo to Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor that the leader of the Senate involve individual senators in the selection process of the County Election Board Secretary in the counties they represent. Currently these selections are made behind closed doors with little or no input from the senators elected to represent that area.

Statement by Senator Penny Williams,
Chairman, Senate Education Committee

"Frank Keating saying that he's looking out for poor people is like Colonel Sanders saying he's looking out for the chickens. If he were truly interested in helping working families, he wouldn't be pushing a tax cut that disproportionately helps the wealthiest people in Oklahoma."