Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee said Wednesday he was glad two of his veteran members would be continuing their service in the State Senate. Sen. James A. Williamson of Tulsa had sought to become the Republican nominee for Governor while Sen. Nancy Riley, also of Tulsa, had thrown her hat into the Lt. Governor's race. Since each is midway in their current four-year terms, they will return to serve the remaining two years of their terms in the Senate.

State Sen. Cal Hobson said the legislation ceremoniously signed by the Governor Monday providing funding for the creation of a world-class diabetes center will pay dividends for Oklahoma for years to come in terms of improved health and economic development. Hobson was principal author of the legislation creating the facility and was on hand for Monday’s ceremony.

(Oklahoma City) Issues ranging from the cost of telephone contracts with Oklahoma prisons to strengthening the actuarial soundness of the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System and improving boating safety will be among those studied by members of the Oklahoma State Senate in the coming months.

A total of 10 Senate interim study requests have been approved by President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan.

Two years after Oklahoma voters approved a state question allowing Oklahoma horse racing tracks to operate video gaming machines, Oklahoma’s horse industry is experiencing a major resurgence, Sen. Cal Hobson said on Tuesday.

State Sen. Cal Hobson has sent letters to all members of the Oklahoma Legislature asking for their support for a special session to address unfunded costs of the recently approved $3,000 pay raise as well as funding to shore up the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System (OTRS). Hobson said he decided to approach members of the House and Senate after Gov. Brad Henry said the issues could wait until the regular session.

State Sen. Cal Hobson recommended today that the Oklahoma Legislature convene in special session in late July or early August to complete its work on two critical funding areas.

Hobson, D-Lexington, suggested that $21.7 million be allocated to Oklahoma public schools for the 2006 – 2007 school year. This amount will guarantee for educators, schools, and students 100 percent state funding of the recently mandated $3,000 teacher pay increase.

(Oklahoma City) – Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Johnnie Crutchfield said Friday that the first priority for 51st Oklahoma Legislature next year should be to provide a supplemental appropriation to help public schools cover the cost of social security taxes and benefits associated with the $3,000 pay raise given to state teachers.

State Sen. Cal Hobson said he was pleased the Council for Bond Oversight had approved a request by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to refinance about half of its $1.2 billion debt. Hobson authored legislation during the 2006 session to authorize such a move. Hobson said the Council could not have taken that action without the passage of HB 2474.

Statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan

“Under the direction of Chancellor Paul Risser, Oklahoma’s higher education system has been on the move.

“Chancellor Risser led the effort to create Governor Henry’s EDGE (Economic Development Generating Excellence) project, focusing Oklahoma’s economic development future on research and the high-tech industry.

“His vision to strengthen Oklahoma’s research capacities will make our state a key player in today’s growing global economy.

Statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan

“Governor Henry’s signature of the budget and tax cut bills approved by the Legislature during last week’s special session is a victory for all Oklahomans.