Press Releases

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – Tuesday’s passage by the State Senate of the $1.95 billion common education budget for fiscal year 2004 is a major victory for the people of Oklahoma, Senate Republican Leader James A. Williamson said.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City For the second time in a week, Senate Democrats used a procedural move to stop Republican efforts to reduce taxes for retirees, stated Senator Glenn Coffee. Senator Coffee offered amendments to bills on Monday and last week that would have eliminated half of the state income tax for retirees once the economy improved. My amendments were based on legislation I authored aimed at giving tax relief to older Oklahomans. But my original bill, SB 0, was never even given a committee hearing, said Coffee, ROKC. read more.

State Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson has won full Senate support for House Bill 32. The measure is aimed at streamlining the process for granting schools exemptions for some state mandates during a financial crisis.
Basically this would allow the State Board of Education to grant an emergency exemption once they declare a financial crisis exists. While schools can currently request exemptions from certain state mandates, it is a lengthy process. This will streamline that process and help schools begin implementing these cost savings much sooner, said Wilcoxson, ROKC. read more.

Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson called again Thursday morning for Oklahoma to create its own regional cancer treatment center.

“It’s time for Oklahoma to make the most of our talented medical professionals and to serve our citizens with a center devoted to cancer treatment and research,” said Hobson, D-Lexington.
read more.

Senator Glenn Coffee said a procedural move by Democrats has thwarted Republican efforts to cut taxes for retirees. Senator Coffee was referring to a measure that would have eliminated half of the state income tax for retirees once the economy improved.
read more.

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 For Immediate Release: April 9, 2003 Clip
Sen. Scott Pruitt and Rep. Fred Morgan
GOP Senator Questions Teacher Unions read more.

When the State Senate voted to exempt small restaurants from a proposed law banning smoking in most public places, Senator Nancy Riley made sure that veterans’ clubs would be exempt.

“These Oklahomans put their lives on the line for their country. When they are together in these clubs, they should be able to smoke if they want to,” said Senator Riley.

Riley’s comments came in response to a media report that her amendment would actually ban smoking in veterans clubs.
read more.

Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson officially released Senate assignments for the General Conference Committee on Appropriations Wednesday – one day after Legislative leaders and Governor Brad Henry announced an agreement on the Fiscal Year 2004 Budget.

“Our global budget agreement was certainly a big step, but there is still much work to be completed on what I have always called the toughest job in this building – writing a balanced budget for state government,” said Hobson, D-Lexington.

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 For Immediate Release: April , 2003 Clip
Sen. Nancy Riley
Senator Nancy Riley Coordinating With DEQ/Fire Marshal On
Glenpool Tank Fires Senator Nancy Riley has been keeping in constant contact with the Department of Environmental Quality and the State Fire Marshal in the hours following a second fuel storage tank fire in Glenpool. Rileys Senate district includes the community of Glenpool. read more.

Oklahoma City Governor Brad Henry and legislative leaders have reached a bipartisan agreement that clears the way for approval of a .09 billion state budget for next fiscal year. The pact, which includes a number of revenue enhancements to help fill a multimillion dollar revenue shortfall, also calls for public education to be funded early this year and in future legislative sessions. The governor, House Speaker Larry E. read more.

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 For Immediate Release: April , 2003 Clip
Sen. Daisy Lawler
Prison Pilot Reading Program Signed Into Law A bill aimed at teaching inmates how to read has been signed into law. Senator Daisy Lawler is the principal author of SB , which was coauthored in the House by Representative Elmer Maddux. Lawler said she was thrilled Governor Henry approved the measure. read more.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City The adoption of Republican budget reform initiatives are a key part of the bipartisan budget agreement between House and Senate leaders and the governors office, the Senate Republican Floor Leader said Tuesday. Republicans were instrumental in obtaining an agreement on common sense, longterm budget reforms that will improve the efficiency of state government and ensure tax dollars are spent wisely. The importance of these reforms to the future of the budget process in Oklahoma should not be understated, said Sen. James A. read more.

Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson joined House Speaker Larry Adair and other members of the Legislature Tuesday in honoring Oklahoma’s 45th Infantry Division at the State Capitol Tuesday.

“The men and women of the ‘Fighting 45th’ have always served their country and state with distinction. They are shining examples of the courage and resolve of both our nation and the great state of Oklahoma,” said Hobson, D-Lexington.

Members of the 45th were honored as lawmakers met in joint session in the chamber of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
read more.

The State Senate took a few moments on Monday to honor to one of Oklahomas newest and littlest heroes a thirdgrader named Ciara Mitchell who recently saved a classmates life. Ciara, a student at Ridgecrest Elementary in Midwest City, successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver after realizing a classmate was choking on a piece of candy. read more.

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 For Immediate Release: April , 2003 Clip
Senator Mike Morgan Budget Agreement Gives Lawmakers Morale Boost Going Into
Final Weeks Of Session When the legislative session hits the halfway point, it is not unusual for lawmakers to feel discouraged because of budget disagreements. According to Senate Appropriations Chairman Mike Morgan, things are a bit different this year. read more.

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 For Immediate Release: April , 2003 Clip Gov. Henry, Legislative Leaders Strike Pact on School Funds,
Propose Additional Funds for K2 Classrooms Oklahoma City Oklahomas K2 public school classrooms will receive additional funding next fiscal year under a bipartisan agreement announced by Governor Brad Henry and legislative leaders Tuesday. read more.

A bill intended to restructure the State Board of Career and Technology Education has passed the Senate. HB 1068, co-authored by Senator Herb Rozell, D-Tahlequah and Representative Ray Miller, D-Quinton, would do away with the current Career Tech board and require the governor to appoint new members from each Congressional district.
read more.