President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan and Senate Democratic leaders are moving forward with a progressive "education" budget – after weeks of stone-walling by state House Republican leaders.

Senate Republicans announced Tuesday they would try to force an agreement on funding for public schools by blocking efforts by Senate Democrats to move other budget bills through the Senate until an agreement is reached on education funding.

“Senate Republicans are opposed to moving other budget bills through the Senate until there is a bipartisan agreement on a budget for public schools,” stated Senate GOP Leader Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City has found a way to further enhance their already renowned Arts and Sciences department by utilizing the Senate’s newly implemented webcast technology.

Senator Kenneth Corn told a group of concerned citizens today that Senate Democrats understand the importance of The Heartland Flyer, Oklahoma’s only passenger rail service, and told these concerned citizens that Senate Democrats have a plan to save the Heartland Flyer through its 2020 Plan for Bridges and Roads.

The Oklahoma State Senate will begin considering single agency appropriations measures by hearing bills to fund 42 state agencies Tuesday, Senate Appropriations Chairman Johnnie Crutchfield said.

State Sen. Jeff Rabon said he was disappointed that the House won’t hear his legislation to reduce underage drinking. Senate Bill 666 had been assigned to the House Health and Human Services Committee but Sen. Rabon received word on Monday that the committee would not give the bill a hearing. Rep. Thad Balkman, R-Norman, is Rabon’s co-author for SB 666. Balkman was principal author of a similar House bill that was killed earlier this session.

President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan, said Republican Leadership in the House has been too busy cranking out politically motivated news releases to act on a Democratic General Appropriations (GA) Bill that truly places value on working families.

He said the newly elected Republican majority in the House has a duty to provide critical services upon which all Oklahomans depend. They are instead, he said, trying to govern through press releases, which falls short of the responsibility that all Oklahomans deserve and expect from the legislature.

Following the 80th anniversary of Oklahoma's unique flag design on April 2, the family of the banner's designer, Louise Funk Fluke, donated the original flag to the state today at the Capitol.

Senator Daisy Lawler said today she is pleased pro-life legislation cleared the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Lawler said House Bill 1686 passed the panel with bi-partisan support. Lawler, one of the co-founders of Democrats for Life, is particularly pleased that women who are facing the decision to end their pregnancy will now be armed with information that will hopefully help them choose life.

The Oklahoma State Senate unanimously approved a resolution today honoring the life of Pope John Paul II and mourning his death. State Sen. Mike Mazzei was principal author of the measure, with all members signing on as co-authors.

“Although I am not Roman Catholic, I felt it was very appropriate for our chamber to pay tribute to Pope John Paul II—undeniably one of the greatest individuals of our time. His spirituality transcended denominational divisions,” said Mazzei, R-Tulsa.