Senator Susan Paddack, a Democrat from Ada, said she is pleased a measure that will bring more accountability to Oklahoma classrooms won the approval of a Senate panel earlier today.

“If we want Oklahoma to be even more successful, we must offer our children the best education possible,” Paddack said. “And that means making Oklahoma classrooms more accountable through end of instruction testing and through additional support for students to achieve their maximum potential.”

“Senate Republicans are so focused on the next election that they have completely forgotten about the most significant pro-life legislation that was written and passed by Senate Democrats under the direction of the Democratic Leadership in the State Senate and signed into law by Democratic Governor Brad Henry last legislative session.

- House-passed pro-life legislation also faces tough road in Democrat-controlled Senate

The State Senate’s Democrat majority renewed its annual tradition and once again killed a number of Republican-authored pro-life measures this week by refusing to give the bills a committee hearing before this week’s committee deadline.

And a member of the Senate’s Republican leadership team predicted that Senate Democrats will also kill the pro-life bills passed this week by the House of Representatives.

SB 2047 Will Allow Small Businesses in Rural Oklahoma to Upgrade Employee Skills

Sen. Debbe Leftwich and members of the Oklahoma Silver Haired Legislature are calling for a hearing on a bill to create a stand-alone Department of Aging before the clock runs out and the bill is dead for the session.

The full Senate Appropriations Committee has given its approval to a bill that could land meth importers behind bars for life. Sen. Charles Wyrick is principal author of Senate Bill 1713. Wyrick, D-Fairland, said his legislation will help the state enter a new phase in the war against methamphetamine.

Legislation that would ensure that Oklahoma taxpayers are getting their money’s worth from state agencies won approval of the Senate Appropriations Committee Wednesday.

Senate Bill 1341 by Senator Kenneth Corn would require independent performance review audits of state agencies to determine if the agencies are adequately carrying out the mission they have been assigned by the Legislature.

Senate Bill 1030 aimed at building an 800 MHZ Statewide Emergency Communication System

The Oklahoma State Senate Wednesday called on President Bush to delay the transfer of shipping terminals at six U.S. ports to a company controlled by the government of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Senate Resolution 65 by Senator Earl Garrison, D-Muskogee, passed by a 38-7 vote.

Despite accusations to the contrary, Garrison closed Wednesday afternoon’s debate by saying the measure wasn’t intended to be partisan.

Statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan

“Chancellor Brisch was always an enthusiastic supporter not only of higher education but of Oklahoma. He provided forward thinking leadership for our colleges and universities during a difficult period and he will be remembered as a true giant of higher education in our state. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family today.”