OKLAHOMA CITY - A Senate budget leader is asking Governor Keating to explain why he vetoed a state employee severance package, noting that the Governor himself proposed and negotiated the final legislation, HB 2782.

"This was one of the main personnel reforms Governor Keating put forth in his executive budget. We worked closely with his advisers to make sure it was passed in the final days of the session. We gave him what he asked for and he vetoed it," said Senator Larry Dickerson, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and Transportation.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Saying Governor Keating owes the parents of Oklahoma school children and teachers an explanation, a Senate education leader is asking the Governor to offer more specifics about his objections to a sweeping education reform bill.

"I think the people of Oklahoma have some legitimate questions about his veto," said Senator Don Williams, author of SB 1100, the education reform bill vetoed by Governor Keating on Friday. "A six or seven sentence veto message doesn't explain why he killed a major school reform measure."

OKLAHOMA CITY - Saying a "misinformation campaign of sorts" has been conducted in recent days, a Senate budget leader is setting the record straight on the fate of community corrections and truth-in-sentencing legislation, and is promising to continue his efforts to increase compensation for sheriffs who participate in some kind of alternative sentencing program.

OKLAHOMA CITY -Several rural Oklahoma communities and the Quality Jobs Program took it on the chin when Governor Keating handed down his latest vetoes, and those actions will jeopardize the state's ongoing economic development efforts, according to a Senate budget leader.

Keating wiped out appropriations for the Central Oklahoma Economic Development District, the Kiamichi Economic Development District and the Eastern Oklahoma Economic Development District. The funding was specifically earmarked for "promoting economic and community development" in those rural areas.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Hailing it as one of the most productive meetings in recent history, legislative leaders officially adjourned the 45th session of the Oklahoma Legislature today.

"This was the most pro-business, pro-education session that I've ever been involved with," said Senator Stratton Taylor. "We covered the waterfront on a variety of economic development initiatives, from tax cuts to education investments. The things we did this session will produce dividends for years to come.

OKLAHOMA CITY -Even though he proposed budget increases for the Attorney General's office and the Indigent Defense system in his executive budget, Governor Keating has vetoed those appropriations, an action that will further slow the death penalty process, according to a Senate budget leader.

"In effect, Governor Keating has given our death row inmates a new lease on life. That's the simplest way to explain the impact of his vetoes," said Senator Cal Hobson, Vice-chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Governor Keating has vetoed his own budget again, killing additional agency appropriations that he proposed in his executive budget, according to a Senate budget leader.

The Governor has vetoed increases for the Attorney General, the ABLE Commission, Indigent Defense and the Oklahoma Tax Commission, even though he proposed increases for those agencies in his executive budget.

OKLAHOMA CITY -Statement from Senator Larry Dickerson, Senate Author of the state employee pay raise bill

"I want to congratulate our Governor on setting a new standard. Having mastered the art of double-talk, he's now employing triple-talk to try to explain his flip-flop on the state employee pay raise.

First, he said he was for pay raises, then he vetoed the funding for them, now he tells state employees not to worry because they'll get their money. He's done more flip-flops than Nadia Comenci and Bart Conner combined.

OKLAHOMA CITY -Oklahoma should concentrate on improving services such as education instead of cutting taxes if it wants to improve the state's economic fortunes, according to a visiting economist.

Dr. Steven Gold, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute and nationally known economist, testified before the Senate Education Committee today.

OKLAHOMA CITY -The Oklahoma Legislature is making good on its promise to deliver targeted tax incentives to the state's energy industry, reaching final agreement on legislation that will help preserve Oklahoma's existing oil and gas infrastructure.

"We've made a concerted effort to keep one of Oklahoma's most important industries alive and profitable," said Senator Stratton Taylor, President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate. "We don't want to see any more energy jobs lost or another well plugged because of an unrealistic tax code."