Because legislative leaders and Governor Keating have not been able to reach an agreement on legislation that would fix problems with the Multiple Injury Trust Fund, state lawmakers will not be returning for a special session on Friday, September 7th as scheduled, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor.

A special interim task force on children's health issues is looking at the potential health risks facing overweight youth in Oklahoma, and at possible ways to fight that trend. That's according to Senator Bernest Cain, who along with Representative Darrell Gilbert authored SB 708 creating the task force.

Statement by Senator Stratton Taylor
Senate President Pro Tempore

"The only pressing issues that require immediate attention are the Multiple Injury Trust Fund and the budget reconciliation bills. For example, we plan to fix the federal tax rebate problem and address the other agenda issues, but there is no urgency that requires the work to be done on September 7th."

State insurance regulators have approved a double-digit reduction in workers compensation rates - an action that will save Oklahoma businesses more than $26 million according to actuarial estimates.

The State Board for Property and Casualty Rates, the panel that regulates private insurance carriers, approved a 12.7 percent rate reduction at its annual rate review Thursday. It is the sixth reduction in workers comp rates in the last seven years and the largest single-year cut during that time period.

A special task force on electric restructuring will be touring the state in the weeks to come, seeking public input on how Oklahoma should proceed with the complex issue.

State Senator Kevin Easley, chairman of the Electric Restructuring Advisory Committee, said the panel's number one goal is a simple one - to avoid the mistakes that were made in California.

Governor Frank Keating said he was thrilled when he saw the 17-foot tall version of the Guardian Statue for the first time. At Senator Kelly Haney's invitation, the Governor paid a visit to the artist at the Crucible Foundry in Norman Friday morning to get a first-hand look at how the work was progressing.

"We really have the Governor to thank for helping complete this project that was actually planned over 80 years ago. I was very happy that he was able to come see how close we are to getting the Guardian finished," said Haney.

When State Senator Jim Reynolds learned that former OU and NFL star Keith Jackson was interested in expanding his highly successful program for at risk kids to Oklahoma, he wanted to do everything he could to bring the All-American to Oklahoma City.

Three State Senators are encouraging Oklahoma insurance regulators to approve the largest possible workers compensation rate cut when they meet later this month to conduct their annual review of the comp market.

In a letter addressed to members of the State Board for Property and Casualty Rates, Senators Johnnie Crutchfield, Dave Herbert and Keith Leftwich called for a "double digit" reduction, saying it would provide a big boost to area businesses, the Oklahoma economy and the state's overall business climate.

Recently, the Democrat leaders of the House and Senate asked Governor Keating to expand the call for special session to include funding proposals for injured workers. Why? Because the Multiple Injury Trust Fund (MITF) will once again go bankrupt, potentially leaving some injured workers without their awarded benefits.

OKLAHOMA CITY - When Oklahoma voters go to the polls to vote for governor in November 2002 they'll also have the opportunity to expand the state's term limit law if one elected official has his way. State Senator Glenn Coffee (R-OKC) plans to file a resolution during the next legislative session asking the voters to approve the expansion of term limits to all statewide elected officials and county officers. Currently, only state legislators and the governor fall under term limits.