In classrooms across Oklahoma, students are getting a chance to meet their state senators and find out exactly what it is that the legislature does. Its part of a national program called Americas Legislators Back to School Week.

The bipartisan program, sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislatures is aimed at helping students of all ages learn more about state government and their role in a representative democracy. Last year 2,500 state legislators from 48 states participated.

Senator Carol Martin announced the kick-off of a joint effort to educate citizens about the deadly connection between so called "club-drugs" and the financing of terrorism. The program, called Shoulder to Shoulder, is the result of a partnership between the Drug Enforcement Agency and National Foundation of Women Legislators. Senator Martin serves as a team leader for the project in Oklahoma.

(Oklahoma City) Issues ranging from daycare staffing to rural 911 service will be the topics of a series of interim studies conducted by the Oklahoma State Senate in the coming months.
Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor announced the approval of the interim studies today, saying the special committee work will help lawmakers prepare for the 2003 legislative session.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"We all agree that the state parks need to be fixed as quickly as possible and we are all working toward that goal. We simply believe that the best and fastest way to get them back into shape is to implement the short-term solutions suggested by DEQ and carry through with the bond issue authorized by SB 1271.

(Oklahoma City) Legislative leaders are urging Oklahoma tourism officials to use a new state law and other emergency measures at their disposal to address state park sewage problems, instead of requesting a costly and unnecessary special session of the Legislature to address the issue.

(Oklahoma City) State Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor announced Thursday that he is prepared to file a legal action in support of the Pledge of Allegiance in the wake of a controversial federal court ruling yesterday.

A three-judge federal panel in California struck down the pledge, ruling that the words "under God" violated constitutional provisions regarding the separation of church and state.

(Oklahoma City) Environmental problems at a number of state parks can be addressed with the help of a new state law that was approved by the 2002 Oklahoma Legislature, according to the author of the statute in question.

Senator Dave Herbert, chairman of the Senate Tourism Committee, said that SB 1271 authorizes the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission to initiate a bond issue to address needs under its purview, such as remediation of sewage systems at state parks and recreational areas.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"I haven't had time to review the specifics of the court's decision, but obviously, I am disappointed with the ruling.

"I will be talking to Speaker Adair and our attorneys about what our next step may be."

Senate Bill 935, authored by Senator Jonathan Nichols, R-Norman, had passed both houses unanimously before it was signed into law by Governor Keating this past week. The Norman Republican says that the sales tax at estate sales was a nuisance tax on Oklahoma families that needed to be removed.

Legislative leaders announced they would appeal an Oklahoma County District Court decision handed down last month regarding the selection of Governor Frank Keating's plan for redrawing the state's congressional districts.