Press Releases

OKLAHOMA CITY - A bill moving through the legislative process that is intended to boost the calcium-fortified foods offered in Oklahoma school cafeterias may be confused with another bill aimed at curbing vending machine in schools, according to Senator Paul Muegge, D-Tonkawa.

Senate Bill 1229, authored by Muegge and Representative Al Lindley, emphasizes the importance of dairy and calcium consumption in young Oklahomans.

OKLAHOMA CITY Making a move to help keep a one-cent gas tax bill that would fund the future of high speed rail for Oklahoma alive, Senator Dave Herbert is shifting the legislation to a different committee.

According to the Midwest City legislator, Senate Joint Resolution 4 will move out of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee when the gas tax language is changed into a new piece of legislation. The new legislation will becomes SJR 36 and will be moved to the House Rules Committee where Herbert has been assured a hearing next week.

Oklahomas bid to create a world class Native American Museum and Cultural Center cleared an important funding hurdle Friday when the U.S. Senate authorized $33 million federal construction funding.

I am very pleased to see that the Senate has passed this authorization bill, said State Senator Kelly Haney, a leader in creating the state and local partnership to build the center. We anticipate the center will become the number-one tourist attraction in all of Oklahoma.

OKLAHOMA CITY – High-speed rail service connecting Oklahoma's two largest metropolitan areas will be at the top of the discussion list at an April 2nd joint meeting of the House and Senate Transportation Committees, announced Senator Dave Herbert, D- Midwest City.

The meeting is expected to focus on a high-speed rail corridor study between Tulsa and Oklahoma City, allowing passengers to travel at speeds in excess of 150 mph.

(Oklahoma City) State Senator Brad Henry announced Wednesday that he is exploring the possibility of an initiative petition drive that would ultimately let Oklahomans decide whether to create a state lottery to help fund education.

All of the polls indicate that there is overwhelming support for a statewide lottery in the name of public education. If we can get it on the ballot, I dont have any doubt that it would pass, said Henry, D-Shawnee.

Legislation aimed at making sure teachers or other school employees who have abused children cant cover up their past behavior when looking for a new job has cleared the full Senate. An amendment to Senate Bill 1471 also requires public schools to have a moment of silence each day during which time a child may pray or meditate.

Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson is principal author of SB 1471. She said the main purpose of her initial legislation was to make school districts arent withholding critical information about a teacher who had been involved in child pornography or child abuse.

(Oklahoma City) – Senate Minority Leader Jim Dunlap and colleagues today urged House Speaker Larry Adair and Senate Pro-Tem Stratton Taylor to fund education first.

"The first draw on the state's resources should be to make certain that the educational needs of our children are met." Dunlap said.

The Senate has given its approval to a bill aimed at educating Oklahoma kids and their parents about violence prevention. Senator Glenn Coffee, author of Senate Bill 1651 said the legislation would create a Violence Prevention Education Week, and would also authorize the State Department of Education to create a special website to give parents and others more information about content of violent images in films, TV programs and video games.

The legislation comes as a result of a task force that studied violence in the media and children.

(Oklahoma City) The Oklahoma State Senate will hold a memorial service for Senator Larry Dickerson at the State Capitol at 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 11th. The state legislator's body will lie in state in the State Capitol second floor rotunda Monday morning until the memorial proceedings begin in the Senate chamber later that afternoon.

(Oklahoma City) After waging a long and difficult fight, State Senator Larry Dickerson has lost his bout with cancer. Surrounded by family and friends, the 45-year old legislator died at Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City at approximately 2:20 p.m. Thursday.

Senator Charles Ford announced the dedication of another original painting commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund Inc. The painting of the Creek Council Oak Tree by internationally known artist Mike Larsen was unveiled during a ceremony in the State Senate Chamber this afternoon.

(Oklahoma City) State Senator Larry Dickerson remains in critical condition at an Oklahoma City hospital. Family members said Dickerson slipped into an irreversible coma Wednesday.

The Poteau legislator was admitted late Tuesday night after feeling ill. Dickerson, who has been battling cancer for the past three years, has been recovering from a series of treatments and surgery related to the disease in recent months.

Senator Grover Campbell has asked State Attorney General Drew Edmondson for an official opinion on whether transferable tax credits are in violation of the state's constitution. The answer could have a direct impact on legislation such as a bill recently signed into law giving Great Plains Airlines $9 million in transferable tax credits. That's in addition to another $18 million in transferable tax credits previously given to Great Plains.

Senator Jonathan Nichols has won approval from the full Senate for a measure to exempt estate sales from taxation. The Norman Republican says the whole idea is to make dealing with the loss of a loved one less complicated for the family.

Concerned about the lack of support for a legislative package to let the public decide on whether to temporarily increase fuel prices to pay for transportation projects, Senator Robert Milacek has announced his decision to withdraw the legislation.

The reality is this is an election year. Even though my legislation would have let the voters decide whether to temporarily increase fuel taxes, there were many lawmakers who were concerned that their support could hurt them at the polls, said Milacek.