Press Releases

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Anastasia Pittman was recently elected to serve as the National Vice-Chair of the National Caucus of Native American State Legislators (NCNASL) in Chicago, IL.
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Senate Democratic Leader John Sparks, D-Norman, issued the following comments on a lawsuit filed Tuesday asking the Supreme Court to order the governor to return $140.8 million in “extra money” that was “found” by the governor’s fiscal staff back to the state agencies from where it was cut:

Members of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus issued the following statement Wednesday in reaction to reports of an incident at last week’s CareerTech Summer Conference in Oklahoma City alleging a retiring black educator who was to be recognized for his service was presented with a white robe, hood, and Confederate flag. After the incident, attendees reportedly were told not to speak about it and to erase any cell phone video.

OKLAHOMA CITY –  On Monday, educators, lawmakers, business and community leaders gathered at the State Capitol for the designation ceremony of the most recent STEM Regional Consortium.  The Central Oklahoma STEM Alliance (COSTEMA) was formed in spring 2015 to help train students in the Oklahoma City metro for STEM jobs available in the area. 

After recently announcing plans to create a $10,000 endowed scholarship at Langston University honoring E. Melvin Porter, Oklahoma’s first black member of the state Senate, the chair of the Legislative Black Caucus announced Tuesday that Langston University is now accepting donations.
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Sen. Kevin Matthews, chairman of Oklahoma’s Legislative Black Caucus, said members are creating a $10,000 endowed scholarship at Langston University to honor the life and work of E. Melvin Porter, Oklahoma’s first black member of the state Senate. Porter died July 26 at the age of 86. Matthews will formally announce the creation of the scholarship at a memorial service for Porter to be held this Saturday, August 6 at 11:00 a.m., at St. read more.

  Sen. Kevin Matthews, chairman of Oklahoma’s Legislative Black Caucus, said members are creating a $10,000 endowed scholarship at Langston University to honor the life and work of E. Melvin Porter, Oklahoma’s first black member of the state Senate. Porter died July 26 at the age of 86. Matthews will formally announce the creation of the scholarship at a memorial service for Porter to be held this Saturday, August 6 at 11:00 a.m., at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.

The leader of the Oklahoma Senate announced on Wednesday 36 requests for interim legislative studies. The study requests were approved by Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa.

The studies have been assigned to the Senate committee with jurisdiction over the subject matter contained within the request. The committee chairman will be responsible for scheduling committee meetings on the interim study requests.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association (OSA) recently honored Sen. Ron Sharp with its 2016 Legislative Award for his support of law enforcement.  This session, Sharp was the principal Senate author of Senate Bill 1070, an OSA request bill that limits liability for sheriff’s offices when their deputies work second jobs for mental health transport companies.  read more.

Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman released the following statement regarding Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Steven Taylor’s decision to retire at the end of this year.