A transportation measure that will provide millions in much-needed funding for Oklahoma's roadways and bridges passed the Senate today. House Bill 1218, authored by Rep. Jim Newport, R-Ponca City, and Sen. David Myers, R-Ponca City, will increase funding for the State Highway and Construction Maintenance Fund to $170 million over a five-year period beginning July 1, 2005. The monies will come from growth in car license tag fees.

Senator Judy Eason McIntyre was pleased when the Senate passed House Bill 1524, a measure aimed at protecting service animals owned by people with disabilities. The House of Representatives author is Al Lindley, a Democrat from South Oklahoma City.

State Senator Randy Brogdon, a Republican Whip in the Oklahoma State Senate, said Thursday that a bipartisan budget agreement between House Republicans and Senate Democrats seemed to fall quickly into place once Gov. Brad Henry’s representative stopped participating in the negotiations.

“I think it is obvious that Gov. Henry’s my-way-or-the-highway approach is getting in the way of bipartisanship at the Capitol. It is amazing how quickly an agreement was reached on the budget once the governor’s representative was out of the room,” said Brogdon, R-Owasso.

A bill to encourage the processing, market development and research of alternative fuels derived from agriculture products such as grain was signed into law Tuesday. SB 363, authored by Sen. Robert Kerr, D-Altus, and Rep. Dale DeWitt, R-Braman, creates the Oklahoma Biofuels Development Act.

Senator Jeff Rabon, an assistant majority leader in the Oklahoma State Senate, said he is completely baffled by a decision from House leadership and their Republican committee chairmen who refuse to hear two bills aimed at making tomorrow better for Oklahoma children. Rabon said he has recently learned State Rep. Kris Steele is refusing to hear Senate Bill 666, aimed at curbing the epidemic of binge drinking in the state. He also said Rep. Sue Tibbs is refusing to hear Senate Bill 702, known as the Truth in Campaigning Act, aimed at increasing accountability for candidates seeking office.

The full State Senate has approved a bill to give Oklahoma consumers greater protection when they purchase gift cards from retailers. HB 1986, by Rep. Terry Ingmire, R-Stillwater and Sen. Richard Lerblance, D-Hartshorne, would ensure that gift cards could be redeemed for their full value for up to five years after the time of purchase.

A bill to provide tax credits for producers of ethanol in the State of Oklahoma passed the Senate Monday afternoon. House Bill 1556, authored by Sen. David Myers and Rep. Mike Jackson, will encourage companies to build ethanol facilities in the state.

Under provisions of the bill, an ethanol plant could not be eligible for tax credits until the plant had been operating for six months at 25-percent of capacity.

Senator Jeff Rabon and Representative Paul Roan are questioning whether their Senate Concurrent Resolution naming the official state dinosaur will receive a House Committee hearing. The bill was assigned to the House Rules Committee and will more than likely not make it on the agenda. The deadline to give bills a committee hearing from the opposite house of origin is quickly approaching – bills must be heard before 5:00pm Thursday, April 21st, 2005.

The State Senate has unanimously approved a measure to increase the statute of limitations for filing charges against suspected child molesters. House Bill 1013, by Rep. Larry Glenn, D-Miami, and Sen. Debbe Leftwich, D-OKC, would increase the statute of limitations from seven years after discovery of the crime to 12 years.

A portrait of Mrs. Lamar Looney, the first woman ever elected to serve in the Oklahoma State Senate, was unveiled during a ceremony in the State Senate Chamber on Tuesday.

The painting is the latest in a series of historical paintings, a project by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc. The portrait is sponsored by the 2005 Senate Women’s Caucus, Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin, the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women, the Rural Women’s Business Center and the Family of Mrs. Lamar Looney. The painting was done by Norman, Oklahoma artist Mike Wimmer.