Republicans in the Oklahoma State Senate released their policy agenda for the 2009 legislative session today, calling for a fairer and more business friendly tax policy, reform of the archaic and business-unfriendly legal system in Oklahoma, and to continue to improve our state’s infrastructure.

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Government will be more open, accessible, accountable

Newly elected President Pro-Tempore Glenn Coffee announced Tuesday that long-awaited reform will be coming to the Legislature this session. Upon Coffee’s election as the new President Pro Tempore of the State Senate, the Senate approved new Senate rules for governing its legislative body.

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"Coffee Can't" Check Partisanship at the Door

In ten separate votes pertaining to the newly adopted Senate Rules, Senate Republicans sent a message loud and clear to the powerful insurance industry today: "Help is on the way"

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Legislation Named in Memory of Senator's Father, read more.

With an estimated one in eight veterans under age 65 uninsured nationwide, State Senator Andrew Rice has introduced a bill to ensure that all Oklahoma veterans have access to adequate health insurance.

"There is a common misconception that all veterans qualify for free health care through the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department, but sadly this isn't the case," said Rice, D-Oklahoma City. "Thousands of vets are falling through the cracks. They make too much to qualify for Medicaid or means-tested VA care, but are too poor to afford private coverage."

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“The announcement today by Blue Cross and Blue Shield is yet another clear and convincing piece of evidence that Nick’s Law should become Oklahoma’s law.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield says they have developed a benefit that ‘doesn’t unduly create a price impact’. That statement corresponds with the actuarial study we provided that shows we can help autistic children for mere pennies a day.

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Sen. Kenneth Corn on Tuesday announced plans to introduce legislation that would prohibit the partisan appointment of County Election Board Secretaries.

Corn said it was important that the Legislature make a firm commitment to ending political patronage, without exceptions. The proposal would require that Election Board Secretaries have at least three years of experience with the system.

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Senator Glenn Coffee confirmed Monday that one of his first reforms of state government will be in the form of authoring legislation ending the Senate’s tag agency patronage system by prohibiting lawmakers from recommending tag agents to the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC).

In the past, Oklahoma State Senators have suggested to OTC those individuals they thought should hold the position of tag agent. Under Coffee’s legislation, the Oklahoma Tax Commission will directly appoint tag agents.

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Democratic Leader says Democratic Caucus Eager to Work with New Republican Majority to Ensure the Spirit of Bi-Partisanship Continues

As final preparations are being made for the upcoming legislative session slated to begin in early February, Democratic Leader Charlie Laster (D-Shawnee) has ensured experienced members of the Democratic caucus will play key roles in the committee work that is crucial to the legislative process.

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Sen. Kenneth Corn on Thursday said one of the state’s greatest impediments to economic growth is a lack of college graduates. The Poteau Democrat announced plans to file legislation that would provide qualifying high school graduates with two years of tuition at Oklahoma colleges and universities.

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