Statement by State Senator Andrew Rice, D-OKC, upon the death of Steffanie Collings
''Apple and I are saddened to learn today of the death of our friend, Steffanie Collings, who fought to survive brain cancer for the last five years of her life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Steffanie's parents, Monty and Tracy. The courage and compassion of the entire...
03/13/2008
Senate Passes Term Limits For Statewide Officials
The Oklahoma Senate voted Thursday to send a proposal for term limits for statewide officials to a vote of the people.
Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, successfully attached an amendment to SB 1987 for a legislative referendum that would place a 12 year limit on the terms of...
03/13/2008
Sen. Corn Says Tax Credit for Private School Scholarships Benefits Few, Hurts Many
State Sen. Kenneth Corn is blasting an amendment that was narrowly approved by the full Senate on Thursday as devastating to public education, particularly in the state's largest cities. The amendment would give tax credits for those donating money for scholarships to be used...
03/13/2008
Senate Approves Special License Tag for A U. S. Department of Peace
The Oklahoma State Senate approved SB 1910 Thursday, by State Senator Constance N. Johnson, D-Oklahoma County, creating a special license plate for Oklahomans wishing to demonstrate support for the Campaign for a United States Department of Peace.
Sen. Johnson said there is...
03/12/2008
Coffee Hunting and Fishing Resolution Receives Bipartisan Vote
The State Senate unanimously passed Senate Joint Resolution 38 by Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee that acknowledges the inherent right of Oklahoma citizens to hunt and fish.
The resolution will add a new section to the State Constitution that gives all Oklahomans the...
03/12/2008
Senate Approves Sparks Bill Mandating Flags Be American Made
The Oklahoma State Senate unanimously approved a bill that requires state agencies and public school districts to purchase and display American and Oklahoma flags that were manufactured solely in the United States.
State Senator John Sparks, author of Senate Bill 2070, said...
Senate Passes Bill to Privatize Lottery
The full Senate has given its approval to a bill that could privatize the state's education lottery. Sen. John Ford said the lottery has not made as much money for education as supporters had claimed. He said privatization might create a more efficient operation.
''Senate...
03/12/2008
Insurance Companies Must Cover Routine Care for Patients in Clinical Trials
Steffanie's Law Protects Seriously Ill Patients
The Oklahoma State Senate today approved legislation in a bipartisan vote making Oklahoma the 24th state to require health insurance plans to pay the cost of routine medical care for participants in a clinical trial.
The...
Gov. Henry Praises House for Vote to Increase PE Requirements
Gov. Henry today praised the Oklahoma House of Representatives for voting to increase physical education requirements for Oklahoma students.
?Childhood obesity is on the rise in Oklahoma and across the nation, due in large part to the sedentary lifestyles of many...
03/11/2008
Oklahoma Senate Takes First Step Toward Cord Blood Bank
The Oklahoma Senate approved an amendment today that could ultimately give Oklahoma families a way to preserve umbilical cord blood and the life-saving adult stem cells in it.
Senator Jay Paul Gumm submitted the amendment to Senate Bill 1708, a measure by Senate...
03/08/2008
Oklahoma's Site Ready Program Adds Additional Sites
March 3, 2008 -- Sallisaw and Tahlequah recently added their industrial parks to the Oklahoma Site Ready Program, which is managed by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. These latest additions bring the total number of sites in the program to 28....
03/07/2008
Gov. Henry names Picher educator to Tar Creek trust
Gov. Brad Henry today announced the appointment of Kim Pace to the Lead Impacted Communities Relocation Assistance Trust. LICRAT is the entity charged with implementing a federally funded buyout of residents of Picher and Cardin in the Tar Creek Superfund site.
03/06/2008
State Senate Passes Gov. Henry’s Proposal Strengthening EDGE Endowment
By unanimous vote, the Oklahoma State Senate today approved Gov. Brad Henry's proposal to bolster cutting edge research and development in the state.
Senate Bill 1819, authored by Sen. Mike Morgan (D Stillwater), would create a permanent funding mechanism for the EDGE...
02/29/2008
City of Tonkawa Launches Online Bill Pay
TONKAWA, OK. - February 29, 2008 - Conducting business with the city of Tonkawa is now faster and more convenient. City of Tonkawa residents and businesses now have the ability to securely pay license fees, utility bills, ambulance charges and police citations online.
''We...
02/28/2008
Gov. Henry, legislative leaders agree on public safety funds
Budget talks began this week at the State Capitol, resulting in the first bipartisan appropriations agreement of the 2008 legislative session.
Governor Brad Henry and legislative budget leaders announced Thursday that an agreement has been reached on supplemental funding...
02/28/2008
State Health Department Launches Redesigned Web Site
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has launched a new redesigned Web site with a focus on creating a one-stop public health information center for the citizens of Oklahoma. The redesigned Web site replaces the agency's old Web site using the services of OK.gov, the...
02/27/2008
Oklahoma Commerce Hires New International Trade Manager
Feb. 27, 2008 -- Oklahoma Commerce announces the hiring of Erika Lucas as International Trade Manager. Lucas comes to Commerce with experience in both emerging and established international markets and has a successful track record of working with small companies and...