State Capitol, Oklahoma City – Senator Stratton Taylor‘s budget scare tactics are irresponsible, Senate Republican Floor Leader James A. Williamson said. Taylor, D-Claremore, released a so-called budget “report” Thursday that wrongly claims draconian cuts to government will be necessary following last week’s bipartisan balanced budget agreement.

State Senate President Pro Tempore Emeritus Stratton Taylor, D-Claremore, released a report today explaining the seriousness of the current budget crisis. The State Equalization Board sometime back subtracted another $77 million from funds available for appropriation. That brings the budget gap to the total amount of $677 million.

“Many of our most precious programs, such as education, services for elderly, mental health patients and veterans are at risk because of the crisis, which is possibly the worst in state history,” Taylor stressed.

Senator Charles Ford announced the dedication of another original painting commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund Inc. The painting, entitled “S.W. Woodhouse at Lost City,” was created by acknowledged national painter Wayne Cooper of Depew, OK, and was unveiled during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber Wednesday afternoon.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – Tuesday’s passage by the State Senate of the $1.95 billion common education budget for fiscal year 2004 is a major victory for the people of Oklahoma, Senate Republican Leader James A. Williamson said.

Senator Charles Ford announced the dedication of another original painting commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund Inc. The painting, a portrait of Oklahoma’s first and only woman to serve in Congress, Alice Robertson, was created by award winning illustrator and artist Mike Wimmer of Norman. The portrait was sponsored by Senator Ford and was unveiled in the Senate Chamber on Tuesday afternoon.

Senator Glenn Coffee said a procedural move by Democrats has thwarted Republican efforts to cut taxes for retirees. Senator Coffee was referring to a measure that would have eliminated half of the state income tax for retirees once the economy improved.

When the State Senate voted to exempt small restaurants from a proposed law banning smoking in most public places, Senator Nancy Riley made sure that veterans’ clubs would be exempt.

“These Oklahomans put their lives on the line for their country. When they are together in these clubs, they should be able to smoke if they want to,” said Senator Riley.

Riley’s comments came in response to a media report that her amendment would actually ban smoking in veterans clubs.

Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson officially released Senate assignments for the General Conference Committee on Appropriations Wednesday – one day after Legislative leaders and Governor Brad Henry announced an agreement on the Fiscal Year 2004 Budget.

“Our global budget agreement was certainly a big step, but there is still much work to be completed on what I have always called the toughest job in this building – writing a balanced budget for state government,” said Hobson, D-Lexington.

Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson joined House Speaker Larry Adair and other members of the Legislature Tuesday in honoring Oklahoma’s 45th Infantry Division at the State Capitol Tuesday.

“The men and women of the ‘Fighting 45th’ have always served their country and state with distinction. They are shining examples of the courage and resolve of both our nation and the great state of Oklahoma,” said Hobson, D-Lexington.

Members of the 45th were honored as lawmakers met in joint session in the chamber of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

A bill intended to restructure the State Board of Career and Technology Education has passed the Senate. HB 1068, co-authored by Senator Herb Rozell, D-Tahlequah and Representative Ray Miller, D-Quinton, would do away with the current Career Tech board and require the governor to appoint new members from each Congressional district.