Press Releases

The State Senate’s author of a an omnibus pro-life bill that overwhelmingly passed the State Senate and House of Representatives urged Gov. Brad Henry to sign the bill before tonight’s midnight deadline for gubernatorial action on the bill.

“I strongly encourage Gov. Henry to join the Oklahoma Legislature in taking a stand for the rights of the unborn and for the sanctity of life by signing this bill before tonight’s deadline,” said Sen. Todd Lamb, R-Edmond, author of Senate Bill 1878.

Endowed chairs help bring some of the most brilliant minds in higher education to Oklahoma college campuses, but for years the private donations have far outpaced the state matching dollars needed to fund those positions. That could change, thanks to a measure by Sen. Kenneth Corn.

Sen. Kenneth Corn on Tuesday successfully amended a measure to allow for the use of dyed motor fuel in pickups, trucks or truck-tractors, provided that the operator has obtained a permit from the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

Senator James A. Williamson’s “Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act” passed the Senate today as an amendment to House Bill 2633.

Williamson’s amendment provides protection to students who voluntarily express their religious views at school.

The amendment reads, “Students may organize prayer groups, religious clubs, ‘see you at the pole’ gatherings, or other religious gatherings before, during, and after school to the same extent that students are permitted to organize other non-curricular student activities and groups.”

A pre-school child left unable to walk or talk after a day care center accidentally left him in a hot van has resulted in the Senate passage of a bill to help families who could face a similar tragedy in the future. State Sen. Debbe Leftwich is author of House Bill 2863, known as Demarion’s Law, which would require day care facilities to carry liability insurance.

The Oklahoma Division of Student Assistance (ODSA) has honored Sen. Kenneth Corn with the 2008 TRiO Achiever Award. The annual award is designed to recognize and honor former Oklahoma TRiO participants who have demonstrated exemplary accomplishments in their professional pursuits and for whom TRiO played a fundamental role in their educational achievements.

The TRiO Programs were established by Congress under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to help low-income Americans enter college, graduate and move on to participate more fully in our country’s economic and social life.

The Oklahoma State Senate today approved a proposal to establish an office within the Governor’s cabinet to addresses Native American issues and state-tribal relations. Authored by State Senator Charlie Laster (D-Shawnee) the measure calls for the creation of the Secretary of Native American Affairs in the Governor’s office.

Laster said the newly created position would oversee agency consultation and collaboration with the state’s 39 tribal governments and to be in charge of relations between the executive branch and tribal nations.

Wilson Implores Republicans to Lay Politics Aside to Make Healthcare More Affordable for Oklahoma Families

A conversation about insurance reform and affordable healthcare in Oklahoma will continue with the approval of a patient's bill of rights amendment authored by State Senator Jim Wilson. The amendment, which will require insurance companies to pay for health care procedures deemed medically necessary by a physician was attached to HB 2531 and now moves to the House of Representatives for an up-or-down vote.

Sen. James A. Williamson and Rep. Pam Peterson have unveiled language to close a loophole in Oklahoma criminal statutes. The Tulsa Republicans crafted the measure after a Tulsa County judge was forced to reduce charges against an accused rapist from first-degree rape to second-degree rape.
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The State Senate took steps today that will send several insurance proposals to conference committee for further consideration. The move allows for more time to study the cost and effects of the proposed measures.

These various measures addressed reforming the State Medicaid program, requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for autism and requiring insurance companies to cover any procedure deemed to be medically necessary.

Legislation to tweak the Quality Jobs Act to encourage the National Basketball Association to move a professional basketball team to Oklahoma passed the State Senate today. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for final consideration before going to Gov. Brad Henry.

Senate Bill 1819, by Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee and House Speaker Chris Benge, allows an NBA franchise to participate in the state’s Quality Jobs Program, which rebates a portion of employees’ income taxes to the state to qualified employers.

On the same day some Democrat senators held a news conference to complain that a few of their bills are not being heard in the House of Representatives, Democrat Lt. Gov. Jari Askins broke a tie to help Senate Democrats block consideration of a workers compensation reform amendment in the State Senate.

The amendment, authored by Senate Judiciary Committee Co-Chairman James A. Williamson, would have required Senate confirmation of gubernatorial appointments of judges to the Workers Compensation Court.
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