Press Releases

In response to news that Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak authorized the purchase of more than $180,000 of guns, police-package vehicles and high-tech law enforcement equipment, Sen. Harry Coates on Friday said he was planning legislation to restrict the agency’s efforts to adopt a police-like posture.

The Insurance Department typically investigates white-collar crime. The items purchased by the agency, including bullet-proof vests and mountable shotgun lights, are often used by police and SWAT teams.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, announced Friday the members of his Leadership staff and members of the senior Senate staff for the First Session of the 54th Oklahoma Legislature.
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Earlier this week, members of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) convened for their bi-annual retreat and strategizing session, held in Norman at Oklahoma's Whispering Pines Inn.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that the use of $25 million in state bond funds to make improvements to a dam owned by the City of Tulsa is unconstitutional.

The Court found that:
“In reality, the bonds appear to be nothing more than a gift to the City of Tulsa and surrounding communities from the State. This type of gift is precisely what is prohibited by the Oklahoma Constitution, Article X, Sections 14 and 15. Accordingly, the proposed bonds are unconstitutional.”
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Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman released the following statement Monday in response to Governor Mary Fallin’s announcement that Oklahoma will not engage in the formation of a state-based healthcare exchange or pursue an expansion of Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act:

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Kim David was tapped for one of the Senate’s leadership roles Wednesday when she was elected as a Majority Whip.  This will be the Tulsa Republican’s third session as she was elected in November 2010.

Newly elected and reelected members of the Oklahoma State Senate took the oath of office on Wednesday in the Senate chamber. Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, President of the Senate, presided over the ceremony, and the oath was administered by the Honorable Steven W. Taylor, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
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The State Capitol will be lit blue on November 14th in recognition of World Diabetes Day to raise awareness about the disease that affects thousands of Oklahomans each year.

“We are so excited that our beautiful State Capitol will be one of more than 1,100 monuments worldwide that will be lit blue this evening to call attention to the devastating impact that diabetes takes on individuals and families,” said Sen. Constance N. Johnson (D-Oklahoma County).

Senate Republicans met Wednesday in caucus for the first time since Election Day to name Brian Bingman as President Pro Tempore-Elect. Bingman faced no opposition. Additionally, the Senate Republican Caucus elected Assistant Majority Floor Leaders and Republican Whips for the 54th Legislature’s Senate Majority leadership team. The Republican caucus enters the 54th Legislature with a historic 36-12 majority in the state Senate.
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Private citizens, members of the media and others interested in following the legislative process will find accessing actions in the State Senate easier than ever before, thanks to several new technological upgrades that are now being put in place.
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The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce is set to examine the new regulatory landscape facing Oklahoma banks later this month. On Wednesday, November 28, the committee will hold its first interim study meeting concerning the Basel III global standards, which will usher in a broad number of new regulatory requirements for banks.
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State Sen. Jim Wilson has asked Attorney General Scott Pruitt to investigate the removal of an original contribution report from the State Ethics Commission’s website and the substitution of a different report.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman today issued the following statement in response to the Oklahoma Human Services Commission vote to complete Oklahoma’s transition from institutional to community care services.
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