(Oklahoma City) The 2003 class of the Oklahoma State Senate is officially in place.

New senators and incumbents who won re-election bids were formally sworn in Tuesday morning by Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Rudolph Hargrave.

The lawmakers were administered the oath of office during ceremonies in the Senate chamber. Senator Cal Hobson is the incoming Senate President Pro Tempore.

With many of the state's roads and bridges in dangerous disrepair, the fact is badly needed funding to improve and upgrade the transportation system is simply not available; not unless Oklahomans are given the chance to vote on a fuel tax that would generate millions in federal matching funds. That's according to Senator Robert Milacek, who addressed a public hearing at the State Capitol Thursday.

(Oklahoma City) In an effort to protect public safety during the ongoing state budget crunch, the Oklahoma Legislature will reconvene for a brief special session on November 18th to appropriate $9.8 million in emergency funding to the Department of Corrections.

Governor Frank Keating, House Speaker Larry Adair and Senate President Pro Tempore designate Cal Hobson announced the agreement Wednesday, saying the emergency appropriation will temporarily halt DOC's plan to furlough prison guards and other corrections employees in
the weeks to come.

The newly and re-elected members of the State Senate will officially begin their terms when they take the oath of office at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 19th. The ceremony will take place in the State Senate Chamber with Chief Justice Rudolf Hargrave administering the oath.

Those re-elected members being sworn in on the 19th include the following:

(Oklahoma City) When the next Oklahoma Legislature convenes, the State Senate will have a new leadership team and a streamlined committee system.

Senate President Pro Tempore elect Cal Hobson announced the changes Thursday, saying the new Senate will be ready to hit the ground running after new members are sworn in on November 19th.

"I'm fortunate to have so many talented members in the State Senate. We will be facing some very difficult issues in the months to come and their experience and skill will be invaluable," said Sen. Hobson (D-Lexington).

Saying Oklahomans shouldn't be treated like common criminals for raising gaming fowl, Senator Frank Shurden, D-Henryetta has announced plans to file a bill for the 2003 legislative session lowering the penalties; that after the passage of State Question 687 in Tuesday's General Election.

"State Question 687 makes it a felony to even raise these birds. That means honest, hard-working Oklahomans would be lumped in with murderers, rapists and drug-dealers. They would also lose basic rights like voting and the right to own firearms to protect their families," explained Shurden.

Saying their goal is to protect Oklahoma students from child abusers who move from district to district, two state lawmakers say they plan address the issue this coming legislative session.

Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson and Representative Carolyn Coleman said the problem is that many school districts don't know a prospective employee has a history of child abuse or inappropriate sexual conduct. That's because their former employer may have been advised to simply accept their resignation in exchange for keeping quiet about inappropriate behavior.

(Oklahoma City) Agnes Stipe, a longtime community volunteer and wife of State Senator Gene Stipe, died in McAlester on Sunday. Mrs. Stipe, 82, had been battling illness for a number of months.

Sen. Stipe was at his wife's side holding her hand when she passed away at the McAlester hospital at approximately 4:00 p.m. Sunday.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Saying Oklahoma's education budget isn't being used wisely, State Senator Carol Martin believes she has found areas that may be pulling funding from where the money is needed most - the teachers, the students and the schools.

It's time for school boards to use common sense when considering how to deal with students accused of breaking rules, rather than "zero tolerance" policies that don't take individual circumstances into account. That's according to State Senator Keith Leftwich who said he would propose legislation directing school boards to do just that when handling students.