The Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc. dedicated “The Magic of Petroleum,” a painting by internationally renowned artist Wayne Cooper of Depew, Oklahoma, in a ceremony held in the Governor’s Large Conference Room at the State Capitol Building on Wednesday.

Members of the Oklahoma Emergency Management Association (OEMA) gathered at the Capitol today to meet with legislators to review issues facing the emergency management community. In recognition of the OEMA's efforts and contributions to Oklahoma, the Senate passed Senate Resolution 69 designating March 1, 2006 as "Oklahoma Emergency Management Day" at the State Capitol.

Vote on HB 2288 Ends Months of Senate Work on DOC Funding Crisis

A measure to modify the Youthful Offender Act passed out of the Senate today. Senate Bill 1760, by Senator Nancy Riley, will automatically charge persons aged fifteen to seventeen as adults if they are charged with first degree murder.

"We're talking about fifteen, sixteen and seventeen year olds who have firmly implanted in their minds what is right and wrong - committing murder," said Riley, R-Tulsa. "And when you're dead, you're dead."

A bill that would have allowed the citizens of Oklahoma County and Tulsa County to decide for themselves what form of county government works best for them failed by less than a handful of votes in the Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday. But the measure has another chance to succeed if lawmakers agree to take another vote on it during the next few days.

The full Senate has approved a measure which would identify registered sex offenders on their state driver’s license. Under Senate Bill 1426, by Sen. Brian Crain, convicted sex offenders would be given 180 days after being notified by the Department of Corrections to get a new license reflecting their status as a sex offender or face cancellation of their license for one year.

Under a proposal approved by the State Senate, victims and family members would be able to give their impact statement in person, without fear of further trauma. Senate Bill 1503, by Senator Glenn Coffee, would prevent the cross-examination of victims or their family members after presenting an oral impact statement during the sentencing phase of a trial.

State Senators gave approval Tuesday to a $339.1 million boost in public school funding, including the largest teacher pay raise in seven years. By a 41-5 vote the Senate sent Senate Bill 1644 by Senators Susan Paddack and Stratton Taylor to the House for consideration.

Another original painting commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc. was dedicated at the State Capitol today. The painting, entitled “Fort Smith Council - 1865” by nationally renowned artist Mike Wimmer of Norman, was unveiled during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber this afternoon.

- Democrat leaders refuse to give bill a committee hearing

An Edmond state senator said he is disappointed that the State Senate’s Democrat majority killed a bill aimed at helping more people go to college in Oklahoma.

Senate Bill 1658, by Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, was not given a hearing by Senate Democrats before Monday’s committee deadline, killing the measure for the year. The bill would have provided tax credits to Oklahoma companies that pay for their employees’ higher education or helped to fund the OHLAP program.