The state Senate on Tuesday congratulated the University of Oklahoma women’s basketball team for a season that saw the Lady Sooners reach the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive year. The team is the first in state history to appear in consecutive Final Fours, and one of just eight programs in women’s college basketball history to achieve the feat.

State Sen. Randy Brogdon said he is extremely pleased that a measure to strengthen Oklahomans’ Second Amendment Rights will soon be on the governor’s desk. Senate Bill 1685, the “Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act,” authored by Brogdon, R-Owasso, and Rep. Charles Key, R-Oklahoma City, was approved by the House on Tuesday.

Citing sovereignty rights protected by the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, the state Senate on Tuesday approved a resolution stating that insurance regulation should occur exclusively at the state level.

Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) instituted new standards related to ground-level ozone just two years ago, the federal agency has already proposed revisions to those limits—revisions that could push every state in the country into non-attainment status.

State Senator Jay Paul Gumm said Oklahoma now has a stronger law on the books when it comes to protecting children from sexual predators. That’s after Gov. Brad Henry signed Senate Bill 2064 into law on Tuesday. The measure, by Gumm, a Democrat from Durant and Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, increases the “zone of safety” around schools, childcare facilities, playgrounds and parks.

State Sen. Kenneth Corn won approval Tuesday for a measure to abolish the governor’s cabinet. Corn successfully attached the language as an amendment to House Bill 3035, which was approved unanimously by the Senate. Corn, D-Poteau, said the move would save approximately $2 million a year.

“The governor’s cabinet is an extra layer of bureaucracy with no real authority over any agencies,” Corn said. “It’s just people who provide advice to the governor, but it isn’t necessary—especially now when vital services are being cut throughout state government.”

Senator Andrew Rice (D-Oklahoma City) said today, the anti-government rhetoric among some Republican state legislators has reached disturbing levels. Rice pointed to comments by a Republican legislator running for statewide office who said on Wednesday the federal government is "tyrannical" and said he is willing to take his challenge of the federal government "to the max."

The full Senate on Wednesday approved language to give 100 percent service-connected disabled veterans a special two-day hunting season. Senator Jay Paul Gumm included the measure as an amendment to House Bill 2701.

“This is based on a law on the books in the State of Michigan,” explained Gumm, a Democrat from Durant. “Our disabled veterans have sacrificed more than any of us can imagine. This benefit is just one more way we can honor and thank them for their service.”

The state Senate on Tuesday approved a resolution celebrating the life and legacy of the late Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty. Daugherty was pastor of Victory Christian Center, and founder of Victory Christian School, Victory Bible Institute, the Tulsa Dream Center and Victory World Missions Training Center. Daugherty passed away last year, after being diagnosed with lymphoma.

For the second time in as many years, April 26, 2010 has been designated as “Breast Cancer Awareness Day at the Capitol”, and breast cancer survivors, their families and friends, or anyone interested in saving lives from the disease are welcome to attend. Twenty plus organizations from throughout the state will have displays to share information on the fourth floor rotunda. Artists and survivor authors of Oklahoma will also be present.