The full Senate has given its approval to a measure creating a world-class diabetes research and treatment center in Oklahoma. Senate Bill 1056, co-authored by Sen. Cal Hobson, D-Lexington, and Sen. Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, would help fund the start-up cost for creating the center, which would have locations at the University of Oklahoma campuses in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa, with outreach programs serving the entire state.

Two Republican senators are pleased that their provisions were included in SB 1644, a teacher pay raise bill passed by the State Senate Tuesday. A provision authored by Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, provided larger pay hikes for teachers with masters and doctoral degrees.

A provision authored by Sen. Patrick Anderson, R-Enid, extended pay increases to school support personnel.

Both provisions were adopted as amendments to the teacher pay raise when the bill was considered by the Senate Education Committee earlier this year.

The Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to prohibit pawn shops, payday lenders and check-cashing institutions from selling lottery tickets. Senate Bill 1089, by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, passed by a vote of 41-0.

“The people who visit pawn shops and payday lenders are likely facing financial hardship,” said Wilcoxson, R-Oklahoma City. “For the state to sell lottery tickets in such establishments is inappropriate and exploitative.”

State Senator James A. Williamson, R-Tulsa, attempted today to amend a bill to expand the OHLAP Scholarship Program. Senate Democrats rejected the amendment on a party line vote. Williamson’s amendment would require students whose families earn $50,000-$75,000 to earn a Bachelor’s Degree and remain in Oklahoma to qualify for the OHLAP Scholarship.

The bill would expand eligibility for the OHLAP Scholarship Program to families making $50,000 to$75,000, adding $66 million to the State’s annual budget when fully implemented.

Hundreds of international high school and college students are expected to descend on the State Capitol March 28 for International Student Awareness Day.

State Senator Bernest Cain (D-Oklahoma City), who serves as the co-chair of the Special Joint Committee on International Development, said the event has been occurring for over a decade. He said in 2004 over 500 international high school and college students attended the event.

State Senator James A. Williamson said his bill to protect Oklahomans from uninsured motorists is dead for the session after it failed to get a committee hearing this session. Williamson, R-Tulsa called it a blow to law-abiding citizens.

“Over a quarter of all drivers on the road are uninsured,” said Williamson, R-Tulsa. “Far too often, those drivers are only discovered once they’ve already caused damage and injury. My bill could have helped catch them before they victimized anyone,” Williamson said.

The Oklahoma State Senate voted Monday to appropriate $125 million to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to fund the repair and replacement of the worst bridges on state highways and county roads.
Senate Bill 1288, authored by Senate Appropriations Chairman Johnnie Crutchfield, dedicates $100 million for state bridges and sets aside an additional $25 million for county bridges.

A measure that would let Oklahoma voters decide if they want to increase the state’s minimum wage was approved by the Senate Business and Labor Committee today.

“This measure will help those working Oklahomans across the state who struggle to provide for their families instead of relying on government services,” said Sen. Debbe Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City, who chairs the committee. “I believe the people of Oklahoma would overwhelmingly vote to support this common-sense measure to reduce poverty and provide Oklahomans with fair pay for a fair days work.”

A measure by Senator Jay Paul Gumm aimed at protecting rural Oklahoma from forced consolidation of public schools received a “do pass” recommendation from the Senate Education Committee.

Senate Joint Resolution 35 contains an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution that would end forever the concept of forced school consolidation. If approved by the Legislature and voters, the amendment would prevent the consolidation of rural school districts unless the proposal is approved by voters in the affected school districts.

The Oklahoma State Senate honored two special Oklahomans today in the Senate Chamber. The Senate presented resolutions recognizing the accomplishments and talents of Jenks High School graduate Jennifer Berry, Miss America 2006 and Edmond resident Jennifer Warren, Miss Oklahoma 2005