With state revenue collections slumping in the first quarter of Oklahoma's fiscal year and an uncertain economic outlook facing the country, the leader of the State Senate is warning fellow policy makers to be prepared for a standstill budget or even budget cuts next year.

Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor pointed out that if current trends continue, Oklahoma will generate little in the way of growth revenue and could actually find itself facing a shortfall when the next state budget is drafted in 2002.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor,
Senate President Pro Tempore

"We have been informed that the special task force on the Multiple Injury Trust Fund was unable to reach a final agreement on compromise legislation by Tuesday's 5:00 p.m. deadline. While the news is disappointing, I remain hopeful that task force members can forge a consensus on this issue if they continue working.

Senator Charles Ford announced Tuesday that the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc. has now formally dedicated two more original paintings. The two latest works were unveiled during a special ceremony in the Senate Chamber.

"With these latest additions, our organization has now commissioned 24 pieces of original art for the Capitol," said Senator Ford, President of the Preservation Fund.

"Like our other pieces, the two latest paintings were created by Oklahoma artists, and present images from our state's past," explained Senator Ford.

The Oklahoma State Senate has taken action that will prevent Oklahomans from paying any state taxes on their federal income tax rebates.

In a special session of the Legislature on Tuesday, lawmakers approved HB 1002X - legislation ensuring that the $300 and $600 federal tax rebate checks are not subject to state taxes. Those checks, which are a byproduct of the federal tax reduction program approved by the U.S. Congress earlier this year, have been going out to taxpayers since August.

The Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc. continues to fill the State Capitol with original art depicting important scenes and personalities from Oklahoma history. The latest art to be unveiled will include a portrait of one of Oklahoma Territories first legislative leaders, as well as a painting of Oklahoma's Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Kelly Haney said legislators and other state leaders must put a greater focus on the need to increase access to quality health care throughout Oklahoma. On Friday he addressed a meeting of healthcare providers, physicians, public officials and others during the 2001 Health Care Symposium held in Oklahoma City on September 27th and 28th at the Hilton Inn Northwest.

Two controversial state contracts should not be renewed when they come up for review in late September and early October, according to a state legislator who has been critical of the contract expenditures.

Senator Larry Dickerson said he came to that conclusion after reviewing expense reports filed by Mary Myrick and her public relations firm Public Strategies. Myrick, a longtime political consultant, has come under fire in the past year for her handling of contract work related to Governor Keating's Marriage Initiative and his Safe and Drug Free Schools program.

(Oklahoma City) State lawmakers will return to the State Capitol on October 2nd to reconvene an ongoing special session of the Oklahoma Legislature, according to an announcement today from House Speaker Larry Adair and Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor.

The two legislative leaders said that they plan to use the meeting to address problems with the Multiple Injury Trust Fund and other pressing items on the special session agenda. The MITF, a special account that makes payments to disabled workers, is scheduled to run out of money in October.

A special task force on electric restructuring will hold its second meeting in Lawton on Wednesday, September 19th.

State Senator Kevin Easley, chairman of the Electric Restructuring Advisory Committee, said the panel is in the process of touring the state, gathering information and seeking public input on how Oklahoma should proceed with the complicated issue.

Senator Bernest Cain, Chairman of the Senate Human Resources Committee has announced that a series of town meetings will be held throughout Oklahoma to discuss the impact of the Olmstead v. L.C. decision. The U.S. Supreme Court decision requires state Medicaid agencies to provide services to persons with disabilities in the community in "the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs."

Ralph Rouse, Regional Manager of Region VI, Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services will speak at each of the six public meetings.