Apparently embarrassed by his performance on education, Governor Keating is conducting a bit of "revisionist history" on his record of support for the public schools, according to a Senate leader.

Saying he's seeking more information about a controversial turnpike program offered by Governor Frank Keating, a state legislator is formally requesting an interim legislative study of Oklahoma's toll road system and Keating's plans to expand it.

"I haven't gotten any answers from Governor Keating yet so I'm going to try to find the answers on my own," said Senator Bruce Price, the most vocal critic of Governor Keating's turnpike program. The Governor wants to build two new toll roads in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, financing the construction with a 10 percent toll hike statewide.

Governor Keating is attempting to cut the budget for public education once again, this time by suggesting that motor vehicle revenue currently earmarked for schools be diverted to the transportation budget, according to a Senate budget leader.

"This is another attack on the education budget by Governor Keating," said Senator Cal Hobson, vice-chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "He's tried to disguise it a little this time, but the reality is he's trying to take money out of Oklahoma classrooms again."

OKLAHOMA CITY - A budget report issued by the Ethics Commission today proves just how damaging Governor Keating's veto of ethics funding was, according to a Senate leader.

"Governor Keating has given plenty of lip service to ethical government, but he certainly doesn't practice what he preaches when it comes to funding our watchdog agencies," noted Senator Keith Leftwich, Majority Whip of the Oklahoma Senate. "You can't say you're for ethical government and then restrict the Ethics Commission's ability to operate, yet that's exactly what Governor Keating did."

OKLAHOMA CITY -Saying the Keating administration isn't telling the whole story about a pending toll road expansion and rate hike program, a state legislator is challenging a lengthy statement issued by the Governor's office yesterday and requesting a firm commitment for public hearings on the issue. Senator Price also made a formal request for information documenting funding needs, projected toll increases and current turnpike traffic counts today.

OKLAHOMA CITY - A state legislator is questioning a toll road expansion and rate hike program quietly engineered by Governor Frank Keating in recent weeks, saying the Governor owes the public a more detailed explanation about the controversial turnpike package. Senator Bruce Price is suggesting a series of public forums to gather citizen input.

"I think Oklahomans should have the opportunity to speak their minds before Governor Keating arbitrarily raises tolls on every turnpike and plunges the state a half a billion dollars into debt," said Senator Price.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Thanks to a last minute veto handed down by Governor Keating, the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission will not be able to pay for track audits to ensure racing revenue is distributed properly, according to a state legislator.

OKLAHOMA CITY -Saying Oklahomans elected Frank Keating as Governor, not a bunch of "political bureaucrats," a Senate leader is urging the Governor to respond to issues on his own, rather than relying on his media staff to carry the message for him.

"I think Governor Keating owes the people of Oklahoma that much. They elected him to serve as Governor and they pay him $70,000 a year plus expenses to do it. They deserve to know where he stands and what he thinks about the issues of the day," said Senator Cal Hobson, Vice-chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

OKLAHOMA CITY - An analysis by the Senate Fiscal Staff indicates that public education was the biggest casualty of Governor Keating's last minute veto spree this year, accounting for almost two-thirds of the funding vetoed by the State Chief Executive.

"I'd like to say the findings were unexpected, but in light of Governor Keating's consistently dismal track record on public education, I'm not surprised at all," said Senator Cal Hobson, Senate Appropriations Committee Vice-chairman, who requested the fiscal analysis.

OKLAHOMA CITY -Governor Keating's veto of SB 1100 not only killed a series of school reforms, it also wiped out some $6 million in education funding --the entire budget for mandated teacher training programs-- a Senate budget leader discovered today. Ironically, part of that money would have been used to finance "Great Expectations," a teacher training program championed by Governor Keating.

The veto could ultimately force teachers to dip into their own pockets to pay for required training courses.