Support is growing in Oklahoma and nationwide to legalize medical marijuana, and Sen. Constance N. Johnson has once again filed legislation to allow for the use of medical marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation. Senate Bill 573 would create the “Compassionate Use Act of 2011”.

The Senate adjourned after concluding business on Tuesday due to the approaching winter storm which is expected to significantly impact state roads and highways. The Senate is scheduled to reconvene at 1:30 on Monday, February 14, 2011.

In addition, Senate offices will be closed on Wednesday, February 9.

For further notification regarding office hours on Thursday or Friday, please check the Senate Website’s home page at www.oksenate.gov or call the Senate switchboard at 405-524-0126.

The Senate Judiciary Committee met for the first time in the 2011 session on Tuesday approving five lawsuit reform measures that are key components of the Senate Republican legislative agenda.

“We have been working on lawsuit reform for years, taking mostly an incremental approach because we did not have the numbers or a Republican governor to support strong reforms,” said Senator Anthony Sykes, R-Moore, Judiciary Committee Chairman. “These bills protect Oklahomans, our doctors and our businesses from frivolous lawsuits.”

The recent murder/suicide of a young mother of a 14-month old by the baby’s father in the Mid-Del area of central Oklahoma County once again draws attention to a sobering statistic in the state. More women are murdered in Oklahoma by their significant others than in most other states. In an effort to address the problem, Sen. Constance N. Johnson has filed legislation to help fight domestic violence in the state.

The Senate Education Committee has given approval to a bill to give the State Superintendent greater control over policy, while increasing accountability to the public. Senate Bill 718 was approved Monday 12 to 5. The measure was authored by Sen. President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman and Senate Education Chairman John Ford.

2010 Jim Thorpe Award winner Patrick Peterson was honored on the floor of the state Senate on Monday. The Senate unanimously approved Senate Resolution 1, recognizing and commending the standout cornerback from Louisiana State University.

In one of its first orders of business for the 2011 Legislative Session, the State Senate unanimously approved Senate Resolution 2 honoring the life of the country’s 40th President, Ronald Reagan, and recognizing the 100th anniversary of his birth. The resolution, by Sen. Cliff Branan, also designates February 6-12, 2011 as “Ronald Reagan Week” in the State of Oklahoma.

“I remain optimistic about the direction our state is going after hearing Governor Fallin’s remarks today. I appreciate her sense of focus on agenda items like reducing government spending, balancing our state budget without tax increases and job creation. I also appreciate her willingness to support priorities such as education, public safety, better healthcare and transportation funding.

Oklahoma State Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman (R-Sapulpa) today expressed concern over what he called a pattern of obstruction by the State Board of Education in recent months. Bingman’s comments came after the State Board of Education today blocked the hiring of key personnel at the Department of Education by new State Superintendent Janet Barresi.