A measure to protect Oklahoma's children from Internet predators is on its way to the Governor's desk after receiving final approval from the State Senate Wednesday. Senate Bill 1479 is authored by Senator Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, and Rep. Purcy Walker, D-Elk City.

State Sen. Mike Schulz, R-Altus, has joined the Senate Republican Rural Caucus. The group was formed in 2005 by GOP senators who represent rural districts so they could provide a united voice for rural issues in the Oklahoma State Legislature.

Senate Bill 1495, known as the Kyle Williams Boating Safety Education Act, is one step closer to becoming law. That’s after winning final Senate approval Thursday afternoon. The legislation is named for 12 year old Kyle Williams of Edmond, who died as a result of a jet ski accident in August 2004.

“Improve Oklahoma!” Sen. Debbe Leftwich says that should be the guiding principle in solving the partisan budget impasse that is stonewalling completion of this year’s session of the Oklahoma Legislature.

The Southside Oklahoma City lawmaker said plans tossed out by Gov. Brad Henry and Republicans in the House of Representatives in the waning days of the session don’t do enough of that.

That’s why Leftwich favors a plan by Senate Democrats that requires the state to pay its outstanding bills and keep its promises before enacting broad tax cuts.

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan today rejected the state budget proposal agreed to by Governor Henry and Speaker Hiett.

After two days of negotiations and review, the Senate Leader said: “There is no deal.”
The Henry-Hiett tax cut proposal cuts too deep and disproportionately benefits the wealthy. The spending proposals are long on giveways and set-asides for special interests and short on funding for essential services, he said.

“I’m not willing to throw the people of the state of Oklahoma under the bus,” Morgan said.

State Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee said Senate Republicans do not support the Senate Democrats’ big-spending budget proposal unveiled Wednesday.

“Senate Republicans are not supportive of this bloated budget proposal,” Coffee said. “Senate Democrats may be angry about the budget agreement between the speaker and the governor, but they shouldn’t take it out on Oklahoma taxpayers by blowing through the surplus like they just won the Oklahoma lottery.”

The budget needs of the state's District Attorneys have not been adequately addressed by Governor Brad Henry and Speaker Todd Hiett. Sen. Todd Lamb said he was terribly concerned that public safety will ultimately suffer for it.

The Oklahoma State Senate honored Senator Scott Pruitt Tuesday who is completing his second and final term of service in the Senate to the citizens of Senate District 36. Unlike the many other senators who have to leave office this year because of term limits, Pruitt will not seek reelection in order to run for Lieutenant Governor.

Statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan

“I talked with the governor this morning about his proposal, but I have yet to see it outlined in a spreadsheet. We look forward to receiving the details so that we can review them thoroughly. It would, however, be premature for me to comment further at this point.”

The Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Judiciary said he is concerned the proposed budget compromise offered by Governor Henry shortchanges prosecutors throughout Oklahoma, and in the process creates a public safety danger for Oklahoma families.

“From my understanding the budget compromise being floated by Governor Henry and Legislative leaders does not include the necessary funding for District Attorneys in Oklahoma,” Corn said. “When prosecutors are left with mere crumbs they cannot effectively put dangerous criminals behind bars.”