Statement by Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan

“Throughout the regular session and especially in the last two weeks I have tried very hard to be respectful of this process. It’s seldom productive to attempt to negotiate a budget in the media.
“My counterpart in the House has repeatedly breached good faith in an attempt to gain favor with the voters. He remains, as he has been all session, focused entirely on the next election.
“My focus remains on the next generation but I want today to explain to you exactly where we are.

Statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan

“It is the responsibility of Governor Henry to set the agenda for special session, not the Legislature.

“The Governor made it very clear when he issued the call for special session that he wants the Legislature to focus our efforts on writing a state budget.

Thanks to the efforts of two state legislators, Oklahoma's elderly and disabled will now be better protected from financial scams and solicitations. Governor Henry has signed Senate Bill 1793, by Senator Ron Justice and Representative Phil Richardson, into law. It will now be a felony to knowingly, through deception or intimidation, obtain or use the funds, assets or property of individuals 62 years of age or older or those who are disabled.

Beginning this year, cities and towns throughout Oklahoma will be required to develop emergency evacuation plans. State Sen. Kenneth Corn is author of Senate Bill 1709. Corn says the legislation, which was signed into law by Governor Brad Henry on Friday, will better protect Oklahoma citizens in the face of a large-scale disaster.

A bill to protect students and victims of violent crime from their attackers was signed into law by Gov. Brad Henry on Tuesday.

Senate Bill 1597 by Sen. Charlie Laster, will protect the rights of juvenile victims by limiting contact between attackers and school-age victims of violent crime.

“This law ensures that victims of violent crime will be notified if an adjudicated juvenile offender returns to school, and gives the student the option of telling the school they wish to avoid contact with their attacker,” said Laster, D-Shawnee.

Legislation was approved Thursday on the House floor for the creation of an African-American Centennial Plaza to be built south of the State Capitol as part of Oklahoma’s Centennial celebration in 2007.

Senate Bill 1919, co-authored by Sen. Constance N. Johnson (D-Oklahoma City) and Rep. Jabar Shumate (D- Tulsa), calls for the creation of an African-American Centennial Plaza and a committee to oversee the design of the project. It now goes to Gov. Brad Henry for his signature.

Oklahoma’s deaf and hearing impaired students are one step closer to having better access to specialized education. The State Senate unanimously passed House Bill 1646 Thursday authored by Chickasha Republicans Senator Ron Justice and House Speaker Pro Tempore Susan Winchester.

Senator Gumm Nears Victory in Struggle to Protect Children

The original author of legislation to allow the death penalty for repeat child molesters is now only one step away from seeing the proposal signed into law.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, has pressed for passage of the legislation for the entire 2006 session.

“This has been a long struggle, with many twists and turns,” he said. “Now, working with lawmakers of both parties and in both the Senate and House of Representatives, we are close to victory.”

The Oklahoma Legislature has taken strong action to combat child abuse in Oklahoma, passing a bill that would subject child predators to the death penalty and establish the Child Abuse Response Team (CART) within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

Sen. Jonathon Nichols, author of Senate Bill 1800, said the measure would create a statewide team of expert child abuse investigators who will assist local law enforcement entities in handling difficult child abuse cases.

In the final days of the 2006 Legislative Session, the Senate took a moment to recognize Oklahoma’s outstanding country music talent that was showcased this week in Las Vegas, Nevada at the 41st Academy of Country Music Awards. Senate Resolution 122, by Senator Jim Reynolds, congratulates those Oklahomans who were nominated or won awards as well as the hosts and performers.