Press Releases

The State Senate on Monday approved legislation to place restrictions on the sale of violent video games to Oklahoma children.

House Bill 3004, by Sen. Glenn Coffee and Rep. Fred Morgan, would add violent video games to the list of products termed “harmful to minors” under state law, making it a crime to sell them to children under the age of 18.
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For his work to ensure Oklahoma’s neediest high school students have a chance at a higher education, Senator Jay Paul Gumm was recently declared a “Champion of TRIO.”

TRIO is a series of programs that help students from disadvantaged backgrounds – especially students whose parents did not attend college – prepare for higher education. The program provides services that include: academic advice and assistance; tutorial services; help with college admission and financial aid applications; as well as mentoring and counseling.

The State Senate on Monday passed a resolution honoring the exceptional life and work of Gloria Farley of Heavener, a teacher, researcher, author and caseworker for the state welfare system.

Senator Kenneth Corn, author of Senate Resolution 87, said Farley’s tireless work and efforts have produced a wealth of historical knowledge and ultimately resulted in her research area being transformed into the Heavener Runestone State Park.

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan said Tuesday’s show in the House makes it clear that the House Republican leadership has placed tax cuts for the wealthy above the education of Oklahoma’s children.

“House leaders continue to stump for a package of tax cuts that will cost Oklahoma nearly $650 million and which will benefit the wealthiest in Oklahoma far more than the middle class. Yet today, they voted to short-change Oklahoma’s teachers,” Morgan said.
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First elected to the State Legislature nearly 28 years ago, Sen. Frank Shurden was honored by his fellow members, family and friends on the floor of the State Senate on Tuesday afternoon. The Henryetta Democrat is completing his final year in the Senate due to term limits.
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The Governor has signed legislation naming the Mexican free-tailed bat as the official state flying mammal of Oklahoma.

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan called on House Speaker Todd Hiett today to allow a hearing for Senate Bill 1993, which would expand eligibility for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program.

The measure passed the Senate on a 37-10 vote on February 28. It has been assigned to the Appropriations and Budget Committee in the House but has not yet been considered.
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Following is a statement from Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. The statement is in response to the news release by Senate Republicans on tax bills being considered by lawmakers:

“The Senate Finance Committee gave hearings to dozens of tax cut bills – including the two mentioned by the minority leader – to allow them to be part of final budget and tax negotiations. All the bills passed by the Finance Committee, regardless of whether they were proposed by Republican or Democratic members, are worthy to be part of the final negotiations.

- Republicans seek tax relief to bring ‘jobs, people, and investments’ to state

State Senate Democrats are sending signals that they are about to flip-flop on key measures that would eliminate the death tax and cut the state income tax, Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee said Thursday. Both bills passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support earlier this year.

Measure Includes Additional $87 Million Investment in Colleges

(Oklahoma City) State Senators Wednesday approved a $976.4 million appropriation measure for Higher Education on Wednesday. The measure includes $87 million in new funding for Oklahoma’s colleges and universities.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure by Senator Jay Paul Gumm that will allow law enforcement to track money used to finance criminal activity won the approval of the Oklahoma Senate Tuesday.

Gumm, a Democrat from Durant, said House Bill 2483, also known as the “Oklahoma Financial Transaction Reporting Act.” The bill is part of Gov. Brad Henry’s “Mission MethNet” and would cut off drug dealers’ cash pipeline used to smuggle “Mexican Ice” into the state.

Senate leaders warned Wednesday that Republicans are setting Oklahoma up for a fiscal crisis with a recent rash of irresponsible tax cut bills, geared heavily toward rich Oklahomans and giant corporations that, if enacted, will cripple the state’s ability to provide critical state services upon which all Oklahomans depend, including education, healthcare and rural fire protection.

State Sen. Debbe Leftwich and Rep. Rebecca Hamilton are continuing their push to get a hearing for a bill to help victims of rape and domestic violence, but said with each passing day the measure comes closer to dying in the House of Representatives.

The State Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation to protect the images of service members of the United States Armed Forces from being used for purposes of advertising or solicitation without the consent of those individuals or their families.

House Bill 2643, by Senator Jim Wilson and Representative Mike Brown, would make the unauthorized use of an armed service member’s name, portrait or picture a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison or a fine of up to $1,000.
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As Andy and Joann Hood, the grandparents of 16-year-old Caitlin Wooten, sat in the House Committee on Corrections and Criminal Justice today, they saw Senate Bill 1037 win unanimous approval and come one step closer to becoming law. Caitlin’s Law, authored by Senator Susan Paddack and State Rep. Wes Hilliard, now awaits action by the full House of Representatives.

“It takes courage to turn tragedy into triumph and this family has shown great courage throughout this process,’ said Hilliard, a Democrat from Sulphur.

Legislation designed to curb underage drinking took another important step Tuesday, passing the Senate by a vote of 45-1. House Bill 3056 by Sen. Jeff Rabon, D-Hugo, and Rep. Thad Balkman, R-Norman, creates the Prevention of Youth to Access to Alcohol (3.2 beer) Act.

The State Senate on Monday honored the exceptional service of Colonel Gary D. Adams, a 38-year veteran of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, approving a resolution in his honor wishing him well upon his retirement. Senate Resolution 88, authored by Senator Jonathan Nichols, R-Norman, commends a lifetime of uncompromising dedication to public safety.
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State Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan announced today that the Senate will consider a $976.4 million appropriation for Higher Education on Wednesday. The measure includes $87 million in new funding for Oklahoma’s colleges and universities.

“We have the opportunity this year to make a significant investment in Higher Education,” Morgan said. “By increasing funding for our colleges and universities we can keep increased tuition costs to a minimum while continuing to provide a world class education for the next generation of Oklahomans.”

With a legislative career spanning four decades, Sen. Cal Hobson is completing his final term in the Oklahoma Legislature this year due to term limits. His colleagues on both sides of the aisle honored him on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday. Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan praised Hobson for his superior intellect, an unmatched work ethic and purity of purpose.
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The State Senate has given unanimous approval to a bill targeting Internet ''phishing." House bill 2473, by Sen. Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Fred Perry, R-Tulsa, would outlaw the increasingly common scam in Oklahoma.

"When we say we're against phishing, we're not talking about the fishing you do at the lake," explained Coffee. "Phishing is a scam used by identity thieves to lure Internet users into providing financial and personal information."
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