Oklahoma is in the top two when it comes to producing high-paying manufacturing jobs, according to a new economic report produced by Arizona State University. The Blue Chip Job Growth Update ranked Oklahoma second nationally for its manufacturing job growth in January.

The latest revenue report from the Office of State Finance indicates continued growth in the Oklahoma economy, a sign that the state's economic policies are on the right track, according to a Senate budget leader.

"This is just more good news for Oklahoma. Whenever revenue collections increase, it means our economy is growing. Business, both small and large, is thriving in Oklahoma," said Senator Kelly Haney, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Senator Haney was referring to the March revenue collection report issued by the Office of State Finance today.

Responding to an avalanche of orchestrated media efforts by Republicans and others who are calling for a premature conclusion of the airplane inquiry, legislative leaders and the co-chairs of the Joint Committee on State Aircraft today reiterated their plan to proceed as scheduled. Representative Bill Settle and Senator Billy Mickle cited evidence uncovered by testimony to date indicating serious problems with the airplane purchase.

The attorney for Tulsair has failed to deliver documents to a special legislative committee as promised today, leading the panel co-chairs to prepare to move forward with subpoenas to obtain the information. Michael Freeman, a former State Republican Party chairman, represents Tom Clark, owner of Tulsair.

At the request of Senator Mike Morgan and Representative Terry Ingmire, Reverend Tom Moll is performing what some might believe is a difficult task. He's saying grace over the Oklahoma Legislature this week as the official "Pastor of the Week" for the State Senate.

Reverend Moll is pastor at the Sunnybrook Christian Church, one of the fastest growing churches in Stillwater.

"I haven't seen all the details of their plan, but I am glad House Republicans have joined the debate about how to improve Oklahoma's road and highway system. I look at their proposal as another option on the table. I still believe the Senate program is the best option available, but obviously we need to find common ground among the various proposals that have been introduced.

The bottom line is we must do something substantial to improve Oklahoma's roads and highways this year."

OKLAHOMA CITY - The State Senate has voted in favor of legislation which would give the public access to information regarding the whereabouts of registered sex offenders. Senator Jerry Smith is author of Senate Bill 723.

"Two years ago we passed a law which required convicted sex offenders to register with local law enforcement, with schools and other childcare providers having access to that information," said Smith, R-Tulsa..

"Now it's time to take the next step. We need to give the public access to that list."

OKLAHOMA CITY - Calling the $750 million dollar lease-back road program fiscally unsound, State Senator Dave Herbert today unveiled an alternative funding proposal.

"I'd be among the first to agree that Oklahoma would benefit tremendously from additional infrastructure development. But a lease-back scheme between the Turnpike Authority and the Transportation Department is not the way to go.

"We're going to make a bunch of bond-dealers rich, and risk having to cut programs like education, or turn free-roads into toll-roads," said Herbert, D-Midwest City.

OKLAHOMA CITY - A program that would double the state's highway construction budget and create more than 21,000 jobs has cleared its first two hurdles. That's according to Senator Larry Dickerson, author of Senate Bill 393 and chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and Transportation.

The bill received unanimous approval in the Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday, and won overwhelming support when the bill was voted on by the full Senate.

OKLAHOMA CITY - A bill to make sure that the decision of whether to videotape the birth of a child remains between doctor and patient has cleared the State Senate.

Senator Lewis Long of Glenpool is author of Senate Bill 85. He penned the legislation after a major insurance company threatened to raise the rates of hospitals that allow patients to videotape medical procedures such as childbirth.

"This is a once in a lifetime experience for new parents. Its wrong for an insurance company to try and ban videotapes or pictures of a child's first moments," said Senator Long.