Oklahoma Senate
Press Releases
State Senators John Ford and Clark Jolley are calling for a member of the State School Board to resign from that post.
Jolley, a member of the Senate Education Committee said he was appalled by reports that former State Senator and current board member Herb Rozell had referred to State Superintendent Janet Barresi's legislative liaison as "useless" because she was pregnant and her baby is expected to be born during the legislative session.
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With consumers struggling to pay ever increasing insurance rates, Sen. Earl Garrison wants insurance companies to be accountable to citizens and justify any rate increases. Senate Bill 354 would ensure that premium rate information relating to the individual accident and health insurance market be readily available to the public
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Oklahoma State Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman (R-Sapulpa) today expressed concern over what he called a pattern of obstruction by the State Board of Education in recent months. Bingman’s comments came after the State Board of Education today blocked the hiring of key personnel at the Department of Education by new State Superintendent Janet Barresi.
read more.Sen. Bill Brown has introduced legislation to help Oklahomans see exactly what different medical providers charge for the same procedure or services. Brown says the system will ultimately bring down the cost of medical care in Oklahoma.
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The deadline for members of the Oklahoma State Senate to file legislation for the first session of the 53rd Legislature was 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 20th. By that deadline 969 bills and 44 joint resolutions filed. Last year 1082 bills and 82 joint resolutions were filed, with 860 Senate Bills and 38 Senate Joint Resolutions carried over from the 2009 session.
read more.State Sen. David Holt has introduced legislation to repeal the system known as "binding arbitration." Holt, R-Oklahoma City, said Senate Bill 826 would restore taxpayer control and fiscal responsibility to local spending decisions.
read more.The newest member of the Oklahoma State Senate is now officially on the job. Senator Greg Treat took the oath of office during a ceremony in the Senate Chambers on Wednesday.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Oklahoma in the State Senate and I look forward to helping pass a conservative agenda that will create jobs and fuel our economic recovery,” Treat said.
read more.Every year, thousands of Oklahoma students are unable to attend college because of the expense. In an effort to ensure that all students can pursue their dream of obtaining a college education, Sen. Jim Wilson has filed legislation to provide low income students with a two year scholarship.
read more.OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Gary Stanislawski will have several new duties when the 2011 session formally gets underway in February. The Tulsa Republican has been tapped for service in key committees for the 53rd Legislature.
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After officially being elected President Pro Tempore on Tuesday, Brian Bingman (Bing-man), R-Sapulpa, announced his Judicial Nominating Commission selection today. State Question 752, which passed by a vote of the people on November 2nd 2010, grants both the President Pro Tempore and the Speaker of the House a selection to the Judicial Nominating Commission. The appointments will result in two additional members and give more input into the judicial selection process.
read more.Sen. Andrew Rice filed legislation today to combat cyber-bullying, a growing problem among Oklahoma’s youth. Senate Bill 152 strengthens the School Bullying Prevention Act to include cyber bullying.
“We have young people injuring and killing themselves because they are being victimized by their peers via videos, texts and entries on social media sites,” said Rice, Senate Democratic Leader. “Technology is changing rapidly and this has impacted how our youth communicate and interact with each other.
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Today, the Supreme Court, in a 6-1 decision, refused to grant Sen. Clark Jolley’s request to stop the proceeding of an appointment of a Supreme Court Justice to replace deceased Justice Marian Opala. Jolley had sought the Court’s assistance in slowing down the nominating process, which has been rushed for political purposes instead of being properly done under the newly reconstituted Judicial Nominating Commission as approved overwhelmingly by voters in November.
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President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, announced the remaining members of his Leadership staff today as well as changes to the Senate service staff. Former Senator Jim Williamson was previously announced as Chief Policy Adviser and Legal Counsel.
Cheryl Leonhardt Boothe will join Sen. Bingman in the Pro Tempore’s office after four years as his Senate Executive Assistant. Boothe will continue to be Sen. Bingman’s EA upon her move to Room 422.
read more.OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Mark Allen said he is looking forward to the new challenges awaiting him in the 2011 and 2012 legislative sessions. Allen, who had already been chosen to serve as Vice-Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, has also been selected to serve on several additional committees in the 53rd Legislature.
read more.Senator Judy Eason McIntyre and Senator Jim Wilson joined the call on the Corporation Commission to reject another rate hike request from Ohio-based AEP-PSO
read more.Sapulpa Republican Brian Bingman was formally elected as the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate Tuesday during the senate’s organizational day session. Bingman received a unanimous vote from senate members to serve as leader of the Oklahoma State Senate.
“I am honored to be given the opportunity to serve Oklahoma in this capacity as Pro Tem of the State Senate,” Bingman said. “Receiving unified support means a lot and I appreciate the task ahead as we all work together to improve Oklahoma.
read more.The Senate Democratic Caucus announced the remainder of its leadership team Monday after having elected Sen. Andrew Rice of Oklahoma City in November to serve as the next Democratic Leader.
“I was so honored that my colleagues chose me to lead our caucus. It is a tremendous privilege and I’m grateful for this opportunity,” said Rice. “I’m looking forward to working with our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to create public policy that will help strengthen our state’s economy and help move Oklahoma forward.”
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Sen. Jonathan Nichols will play an important role in determining whether the Legislature will redraw Oklahoma’s judicial districts based on 2010 Census data. Senate President Pro Tempore Designate Brian Bingman recently announced that the Norman Republican will serve as Judicial Vice Chairman on the Senate Redistricting Committee.
read more.Senate President Pro Tempore Designate Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, announced committee assignments for the 2011-12 sessions today.
“The Oklahoma Senate is fortunate to have so many good and capable leaders,” said Bingman, R-Sapulpa. “Committees have hard work ahead but these members are more than up for the task. We had a lot of experience and talent to draw from when making these appointments.”
“I would also like to thank Minority Leader Senator Andrew Rice for helping to select Democrat membership,” Bingman added.
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