State Senator Kenneth Corn announced today that he is the primary author of Senate Bill 1106, which will pay 100 percent of teacher’s health insurance premiums. Currently the state pays for 75 percent of certified personnel’s health insurance premiums.

The Democrat from Poteau also applauded the recent announcements by Governor Brad Henry and House of Representatives Speaker Larry Adair to also support paying 100 percent of the teacher’s benefit allowance.

Parents, educators, administrators and other concerned citizens are invited to attend a public hearing on dyslexia at the State Capitol on Wednesday, January 21. Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson, who organized the event, said she will unveil legislation to identify and provide instructional intervention for dyslexic students.

Oklahoma City – Republican leaders in the state Senate and House of Representatives today announced the details of their Texas-style lawsuit reform package.

Lawsuit reform legislation is being introduced in the Senate by Senate Republican Leader James A. Williamson, R-Tulsa, and in the House by Rep. Jim Newport, R-Ponca City.

Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee said today that Senate Republicans are generally supportive of the higher education bond proposal, but are concerned whether the new state lottery will provide sufficient funds to pay the annual debt service.

“Senate Republicans have long been very supportive of higher education, and I am certain there will be widespread support within our caucus for the concept of a higher education bond issue,” stated Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.

Comments from Senator Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater

“We stand behind the commitment that Senate Leadership made to the college presidents last spring and remain in support of the $500 million higher education bond issue. We also believe it’s important to make passage of this legislation one of the first priorities when the Legislature convenes next month.

“The economic development impact of this bond issue goes far beyond the 4,000 initial construction jobs and the $700 million that projects themselves will pump into Oklahoma’s economy.

“We’ve just received the report and haven’t yet had a chance to digest it in its entirety. I am encouraged by the emphasis the EDGE report places on improving the health of Oklahomans and its support of an increase in the tax on tobacco products.

Members of the public could soon have the opportunity to fly into space and back from the Oklahoma Spaceport in Burns Flat. Rocketplane Limited Inc. will soon begin work on development and operation of a reusable launch vehicle, Senate Aerospace and Technology Committee Chairman Gilmer Capps and company officials announced at the Oklahoma State Capitol Friday.

Oklahoma City – Senate and House Republican leaders and Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin held a joint news conference today at the state Capitol to announce plans to introduce lawsuit reform legislation during the legislative session which begins February 2nd. The legislation will be modeled after significant lawsuit reforms passed and signed into law in Texas in 2003. Following are quotes from participants in today’s news conference:

In an effort to restore public confidence, State Senator Kenneth Corn (D-Poteau) announced today he will file legislation to bring reforms to the Career Tech system that will provide accountability and responsibility to the taxpayers of Oklahoma. Pointing to problems throughout the Career Tech system in Oklahoma, Corn has taken steps to produce changes that he says are common sense solutions to prevent the problems from occurring again.

Consumers shouldn't be afraid to purchase Oklahoma beef despite the recent discovery of mad cow disease in the United States, according to a longtime state senator and rancher.

Sen. Frank Shurden, D-Henryetta, said mad cow disease -- which is scientifically classified as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) -- is highly unlikely to be found in Oklahoma cattle.

"Most Oklahoma cattle are raised in feedlots and are slaughtered at approximately two years of age or younger," Shurden said.