Press Releases

Sen. Joe Sweeden on Tuesday voiced opposition to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s new statewide toll-free calling proposal saying that while it might sound like a good idea, there is more to the proposal than meets the eye.

State Sen. Randy Brogdon continued his push to better protect the individual rights of Oklahomans on Tuesday with committee approval of the Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act. Under the provisions of Senate Bill 1685, no firearms or ammunition manufactured in Oklahoma and remaining in the state could be subject to any federal regulations, including federal registration requirements.
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A bill to help give part time employees a financial boost by providing them with unemployment insurance payments was approved unanimously Monday by the Senate Business and Labor Committee. Senate Bill 1385, by Sen. Jim Wilson, would authorize the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission to create a voluntary Shared Work Unemployment Compensation Program.
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Last week the Senate approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 41, by Majority Floor Leader Todd Lamb, which opposes federal cap and trade proposals that could be detrimental to Oklahoma’s economic growth.

Two measures by Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee which will take giant strides toward reforming Oklahoma’s expensive and cumbersome Worker’s Compensation system passed in committee today.

SB 1973, the comprehensive worker’s compensation reform bill passed the Judiciary Committee today. SJR 66, which would limit claims for legal services for workers’ compensation benefits also passed the same committee. SJR 66 will go before the full Senate.

The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday approved legislation intended to broaden the number of private school scholarships awarded to students from lower-income households. Sen. Dan Newberry, author of Senate Bill 1922, said his proposal would empower parents with the ability to direct their child’s education, allowing more students to unlock their learning potential.

Due to the serious budget issues facing the Legislature this session, Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee has formed the General Conference Committee on Appropriations earlier in the session than is traditional, naming 23 members and two ex-officio members to that panel today. The GCCA will meet on Thursday of this week to address 2010 budget issues and to look ahead to the 2011 budget.

“As we did last year, I’ve streamlined the process, naming members of the Senate Appropriations Committee to the GCCA,” Coffee said.

A bill to ensure law enforcement can contact next of kin in case of an accident or emergency has been approved by the Oklahoma State Senate. Sen. Sean Burrage is the principal author of Senate Bill 1779, which was approved unanimously on Tuesday.

“Under this legislation, anyone applying for a driver license or identification card or renewing their license or ID would have the option of providing an emergency contact person. The Department of Public Safety would maintain that database,” said Burrage, D-Claremore. “I want to stress participation would be strictly optional.” read more.

Sen. Debbe Leftwich has won full approval from the State Senate for Senate Bill 1762. The bill cracks down on party bus companies that turn a blind eye to drunken teen passengers. Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City, filed the legislation after a high school in her district contacted her about the problem.

Elected officials, not un-elected bureaucrats, should be setting important policy in our state. This is the belief of Senator John Sparks (D-Norman) and Representative Scott Martin (R-Norman) who have authored new legislation which would prevent state agencies and boards from enacting rules or policies which go against the intent of laws passed in the Legislature. The pair, who were both elected in 2006, hope their working together in such a bi-partisan manner will encourage members to vote on the merits of the idea.

The Senate Health and Human Resources Committee on Thursday approved legislation that would allow Oklahoma voters to choose their own health care system. Senate Joint Resolution 59, authored by Sen. Dan Newberry, would allow voters to approve a constitutional amendment rendering unconstitutional any law or rule that compels any person, employer, or health care provider to participate in any health care system.

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee announced that he will introduce legislation, SB 1862, giving large city mayors chartering authority, while removing the number of caps on allowed charter schools, a major education reform that will increase opportunity for students and parents in the state’s two largest cities.

A measure to make the State Insurance Department a non-appropriated agency passed the Senate Appropriations Committee Wednesday evening. Sen. David Myers, author of Senate Bill 1658, says his legislation will save the state money.
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The Senate Transportation Committee approved legislation Wednesday to address the state’s transportation funding needs. Senate Bill 1941, by Sen. Bryce Marlatt, would create the Innovative Funding for Oklahoma Roads Task Force.

State Sen. Cliff Branan is awaiting a vote by the full Senate on his bill to close a loophole in Oklahoma’s sex offender registration law. Branan said news reports had uncovered the problem, prompting him to file Senate Bill 2231. The bill won unanimous approval in the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee on Tuesday.
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A measure to let voters enact a constitutional amendment enabling cuts in legislative pay is awaiting action by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Sen. Kenneth Corn is the author of the legislation. The proposed amendment is contained in a committee substitute for SJR 2. Corn said while the pay cut would certainly not offset the budget shortfall, it would ensure legislators are shouldering part of the burden.
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Republicans in the Oklahoma State Senate released the final section of their three-part 2010 Legislative agenda, focusing on the areas of Education and Health Care.

“Providing quality education for our young people is the foremost goal of any healthy and growing state,” said Senator John Ford, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, R-Bartlesville. “Senate Republicans recognize this, and we are raising the bar in terms of the educational goals we are setting for our state through our 2010 legislative agenda.”

The Senate Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs on Wednesday approved legislation that would direct the state to provide Oklahoma flags to families of Armed Forces members killed in action.

Sen. Dan Newberry authored Senate Bill 2037 to honor the sacrifice of fallen veterans to their country and the state of Oklahoma.

Legislation to increase access to mental health courts throughout Oklahoma is awaiting action by the full Senate Appropriations Committee. Senate Bill 2153, by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, was approved by the Subcommittee on Health and Human Services on Monday. Leftwich said although the bill wouldn’t kick in until there is available funding, passage would be an important step toward cutting millions of dollars in public safety costs in the years to come.
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Senator Earl Garrison has called for leaders in the Oklahoma Legislature to cut the legislative session short in order to be accountable to the people of Oklahoma and save hard working taxpayer dollars. Garrison said in a year when the state is facing more than a billion dollar budget hole, legislators should focus solely on budget related bills and agree to end the annual legislative session early.
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