A comprehensive examination of Oklahoma's clandestine dog breeding industry will formally kick off Wednesday when a special interim committee holds its first meeting on the subject.

State Senator Lewis Long requested the probe of so-called "puppy mills," the term coined for assembly-line dog breeding operations notorious for their inhumane treatment of animals.

The Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Education Subcommittee says there's a lot more positive information in the latest
round of ACT scores than some state officials have acknowledged.

Oklahoma high school graduates scored an average 20.6 out of a possible 36. That's after scores had fallen slightly last year to 20.5. The national composite on the exams testing skills in the areas of English, math and science is 21.

New workplace safety statistics bolster the case for another reduction in workers compensation rates, according to several state lawmakers who are pushing for a fifth consecutive reduction in those business insurance premiums.

A report released by the Oklahoma Department of Labor Wednesday showed that the number of work-related deaths dropped in almost every major industry category in 1998, falling by 28 percent overall. The total was the lowest reported since statistics were first compiled in 1992.

Oklahoma's public school children will ultimately pay the price for Governor Keating's decision to authorize the leasing of more private prisons beds, according to a state legislator.

Senator Frank Shurden is taking exception to last week's action by the Governor that allowed the Department of Corrections to exceed its current budget by at least $8 million and rent more private space without legislative approval.

Issues ranging from education reform to so-called puppy mills will be the topics of a series of interim studies conducted by the Oklahoma 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 2000 legislative session.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Senate leaders are questioning the numbers released by Governor Keating today showing that a proposed Truth In Sentencing plan would cost $386 million dollars less previously reported. The new numbers the governor cited were prepared by a group called the Joint Center for Justice Studies.

Senator Mike Morgan is attempting to deliver a pay raise to education employees who were inadvertently omitted from a salary increase bill passed in the final day of the legislative session. The Stillwater legislator plans to introduce corrective legislation when the Legislature returns in special session on June 14th.

Senator Jerry Smith has joined other State and Federal Lawmakers in condemning the American Psychological Association for publishing a study which claimed that sexual relations between an adult and child might not be as harmful as traditionally believed, and could produce positive benefits for "willing" children.

"Given everything we know about the long term emotional devastation that these children suffer, I am shocked that the APA would publish such a study," said Senator Smith, R-Tulsa.

The technology needs of common education and vocational-technical education should be included in the ongoing discussions about a multi-million dollar capital improvements bond issue for higher education, according to three State Senators.

The talks to date have focused solely on the capital needs of higher education, but Senator Cal Hobson, Senator Penny Williams and Senator Ben Robinson want the negotiations expanded to include the other two branches of education.

The Senate today approved a second bill designed to bail out the Special Indemnity Fund and deliver relief to injured workers and business owners around the state. SB 680 by Sen. Brad Henry is almost identical to HB 1771, legislation which was vetoed by Governor Keating earlier this week.

The Governor's office has indicated he will sign the latest measure.