Sen. Jonathan Nichols on Tuesday planned to amend legislation to establish a felony for a first offense of domestic abuse, when a pattern of such behavior could be established.

Leftwich’s “Social Host” Proposal Will Help Deter Underage Drinking

The Oklahoma Senate voted 26 to 22 today to pass the School Protection Act, a bipartisan lawsuit reform bill providing teachers and schools protections from lawsuits. Last month the House of Representatives passed the bill by a 94 to 0 vote. It now goes to Gov. Brad Henry.

The School Protection Act, Senate Bill 1024, is authored by State Senate Co-Floor Leader Owen Laughlin, R-Woodward, and State Rep. Dan Sullivan, R-Tulsa.

Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee responded to Gov. Brad Henry’s veto of House Bill 2458, a bipartisan lawsuit reform bill.

“It is disappointing, but not surprising, that Gov. Henry has once again vetoed a bipartisan lawsuit reform bill. Instead of continually saying ‘no’ to lawsuit reform with his veto pen, the governor needs to tell the Legislature which reforms he will say ‘yes’ to,” stated Senate Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City. “The trial lawyers have a true friend in Gov. Brad Henry.”

A portrait of Houston B. Teehee, a Cherokee who served as United States Treasurer under President Woodrow Wilson, was dedicated today in a ceremony in the chamber of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The portrait of Teehee, by Oklahoma City artist Christopher Nick, was a gift of Cherokee Nation Tourism and commissioned by the State Senate Historical Preservation Fund.

Burrage Plan Headed to Governor’s Desk for Approval

A bill that would protect Oklahoma senior citizens in life-insurance scams was unanimously approved today by the Oklahoma State Senate. Senate Bill 1980, authored by Senator Sean Burrage, now goes to Governor Brad Henry’s desk for approval.

Participants in the first ever “Komen Advocacy Day” at the State Capitol are calling the event a tremendous success. State Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, D-Tulsa, and Rep. Lucky Lamons, D-Tulsa, co-authored legislation to bring awareness to the event and to the organization dedicated to helping more women have greater access to breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs.

The Oklahoma State Senate approved a consumer protection measure Wednesday which gives motorists a better picture of what type of fuel they are putting into their gas tanks.

“Consumers have the right to know what they are putting in their gas tanks,” said Sen. Roger Ballenger, D-Okmulgee, author of Senate Bill 1451. “This legislation requires clearly marked labels to be put on gas pumps which contain a percentage of ethanol or methanol.”

The State Senate voted today in a bi-partisan fashion to send a measure to a vote of the people to declare English the official language of Oklahoma. If the measure receives final approval before the end of this legislative session, it will go on the Primary Election ballot in July or a Special Election ballot, whichever comes first.

The Oklahoma State Senate recognized Stilwell Strawberry Festival Queen Tawnie Goodwin and her royal court Wednesday as part of the annual Strawberry Day at the State Capitol.

Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah and Rep. John Auffet, D-Stilwell welcomed the group and had a resolution read recognizing the 61st annual Strawberry Festival which will be held on Saturday, May 10 in Stilwell.

The festival was started on May 10, 1948 by the Stilwell Kiwanis as a way of promoting Stilwell and its strawberry growers. The event attracts about 30,000 people a year, Wilson said.