Senate Passes Rice's 'Steffanie's Law' Amendment
Saying there is more than one way to achieve fairness for Oklahoma cancer patients, State Senator Andrew Rice, D-OKC, successfully amended a House insurance bill in the State Senate today with language from his bill known as ''Steffanie's Law''.
Rice, who co-authored the...
04/17/2008
Senate Honors Public Service Career of Senator Gideon Graham
The state Senate on Wednesday honored the life and contributions of late state Senator Gideon Graham. Graham was first elected to the Senate in 1911 and again in 1918. He served as Chair of the Senate Game and Fish Committee and later in 1930 was appointed Educational...
04/17/2008
State Legislature Overrides Henry Veto of Bipartisan Pro-Life Legislation
The State Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday to override Gov. Brad Henry's veto of Senate Bill 1878, a bipartisan pro-life bill, by a vote of 37-11. Thirty-two votes were required to override the veto in the Senate. The House of Representatives voted 81-15 to join the Senate...
04/17/2008
Senate Approves Corn Amendment for 'Second Century Promise'
Sen. Kenneth Corn on Thursday said one of Oklahoma's greatest impediments to economic growth is a lack of college graduates. Under his proposal to provide qualifying high school graduates with two years of tuition at Oklahoma colleges and Universities, Corn said the state...
04/17/2008
Health Care Measures Could Be Catastrophic For State Budget
On Thursday, Senator Patrick Anderson, R-Enid, provided Senators with cost estimates he received from OSEEGIB (Oklahoma State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board) for an autism insurance mandate proposal and a proposal that has been referred to as the ''Patients Bill...
04/16/2008
Gov. Henry, legislators announce budget pact
Oklahoma City - Gov. Brad Henry and legislative leaders today announced a bipartisan budget agreement that will effectively provide ?standstill? appropriations to state agencies and programs next fiscal year.
Today?s announcement comes after many weeks of negotiations...
Senate Approves Corn Amendment to Allow Use of Dyed Fuel in Trucks
Sen. Kenneth Corn on Tuesday successfully amended a measure to allow for the use of dyed motor fuel in pickups, trucks or truck-tractors, provided that the operator has obtained a permit from the Oklahoma Tax Commission.
Corn added the provision to House Bill 1418, which...
04/16/2008
Rabon Seeks Approval for 'Truth in Campaigning' Amendment
Sen. Jeff Rabon said on Wednesday he plans to amend at least two measures, adding language providing penalties for knowingly and willfully making false claims about candidates or ballot measures in political advertising.
Rabon has submitted the amendment to House Bill...
04/15/2008
Quality Jobs Expansion Passes Senate to Encourage NBA Relocation to Oklahoma
Legislation to tweak the Quality Jobs Act to encourage the National Basketball Association to move a professional basketball team to Oklahoma passed the State Senate today. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for final consideration before going to Gov. Brad...
04/15/2008
Insurance Measures to Be Sent to Conference Committee
The State Senate took steps today that will send several insurance proposals to conference committee for further consideration. The move allows for more time to study the cost and effects of the proposed measures.
These various measures addressed reforming the State...
04/15/2008
Tulsa Lawmakers Author Language to Close Loophole in State Rape Law
Sen. James A. Williamson and Rep. Pam Peterson have unveiled language to close a loophole in Oklahoma criminal statutes. The Tulsa Republicans crafted the measure after a Tulsa County judge was forced to reduce charges against an accused rapist from first-degree rape to...
04/15/2008
Leftwich Wins Full Senate Approval
A pre-school child left unable to walk or talk after a day care center accidentally left him in a hot van has resulted in the Senate passage of a bill to help families who could face a similar tragedy in the future. State Sen. Debbe Leftwich is author of House Bill 2863,...
04/15/2008
Laster Champions Creation of Cabinet Level Position for State-Tribal Government Issues
The Oklahoma State Senate today approved a proposal to establish an office within the Governor's cabinet to addresses Native American issues and state-tribal relations. Authored by State Senator Charlie Laster (D-Shawnee) the measure calls for the creation of the Secretary of...
04/15/2008
Corn Honored As 2008 'TRiO Achiever' by Oklahoma Division of Student Assistance
The Oklahoma Division of Student Assistance (ODSA) has honored Sen. Kenneth Corn with the 2008 TRiO Achiever Award. The annual award is designed to recognize and honor former Oklahoma TRiO participants who have demonstrated exemplary accomplishments in their professional...
04/15/2008
With Approval of a Patient's Bill of Rights, Insurance Reform One Vote from Becoming Law
A conversation about insurance reform and affordable healthcare in Oklahoma will continue with the approval of a patient's bill of rights amendment authored by State Senator Jim Wilson. The amendment, which will require insurance companies to pay for health care procedures...
04/14/2008
Oklahoma Main Street Managers Receive Certification
April 14, 2008 -- Two Oklahoma Main Street Managers graduated from the National Main Street Manager Certification Institute during the recent National Main Street Conference in Philadelphia....
04/14/2008
Lt. Governor, Senate Democrats Block Effort to Vote on Workers Comp Reform Amendment
On the same day some Democrat senators held a news conference to complain that a few of their bills are not being heard in the House of Representatives, Democrat Lt. Gov. Jari Askins broke a tie to help Senate Democrats block consideration of a workers compensation reform...
04/14/2008
Sen. Mazzei Wins Senate Approval for Adoption Review Task Force
The full Senate approved a measure to review current adoption law and practices in the state of Oklahoma. House Bill 2749, by Sen. Mike Mazzei and Rep. Susan Winchester was approved unanimously on Monday, bringing it one step closer to consideration by Gov. Brad Henry....
04/11/2008
State Main Street Director Receives National Leadership Award
April 11, 2008 ndash; The National Trust Main Street Center awarded the Main Street Executive Committee the 2008 National Main Street Partner award during the Opening Plenary of the National Main Streets Conference in Philadelphia on Monday, March 31, 2008, at the Marriott...