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Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 For Immediate Release: April , 2003 Clip
Education Funding Bill Adds 0 Million
To Public School Appropriation for FY 200 The State Senate Tuesday gave overwhelming approval to a preliminary common education appropriation measure that adds more than 0 million to the funds to be distributed to public schools in for the 2003200 school year, Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson said. read more.

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 For Immediate Release: April , 2003 Clip
Tort reform expert Leah Lorber, Sen. Scott Pruitt and Rep. Fred Morgan
National Expert on Teacher Tort Protections Visits Oklahoma read more.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City For the second time in a week, Senate Democrats used a procedural move to stop Republican efforts to reduce taxes for retirees, stated Senator Glenn Coffee. Senator Coffee offered amendments to bills on Monday and last week that would have eliminated half of the state income tax for retirees once the economy improved. My amendments were based on legislation I authored aimed at giving tax relief to older Oklahomans. But my original bill, SB 0, was never even given a committee hearing, said Coffee, ROKC. read more.

State Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson has won full Senate support for House Bill 32. The measure is aimed at streamlining the process for granting schools exemptions for some state mandates during a financial crisis.
Basically this would allow the State Board of Education to grant an emergency exemption once they declare a financial crisis exists. While schools can currently request exemptions from certain state mandates, it is a lengthy process. This will streamline that process and help schools begin implementing these cost savings much sooner, said Wilcoxson, ROKC. read more.

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 For Immediate Release: April 9, 2003 Clip
Sen. Scott Pruitt and Rep. Fred Morgan
GOP Senator Questions Teacher Unions read more.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City The adoption of Republican budget reform initiatives are a key part of the bipartisan budget agreement between House and Senate leaders and the governors office, the Senate Republican Floor Leader said Tuesday. Republicans were instrumental in obtaining an agreement on common sense, longterm budget reforms that will improve the efficiency of state government and ensure tax dollars are spent wisely. The importance of these reforms to the future of the budget process in Oklahoma should not be understated, said Sen. James A. read more.

Oklahoma City Governor Brad Henry and legislative leaders have reached a bipartisan agreement that clears the way for approval of a .09 billion state budget for next fiscal year. The pact, which includes a number of revenue enhancements to help fill a multimillion dollar revenue shortfall, also calls for public education to be funded early this year and in future legislative sessions. The governor, House Speaker Larry E. read more.

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 For Immediate Release: April , 2003 Clip
Sen. Nancy Riley
Senator Nancy Riley Coordinating With DEQ/Fire Marshal On
Glenpool Tank Fires Senator Nancy Riley has been keeping in constant contact with the Department of Environmental Quality and the State Fire Marshal in the hours following a second fuel storage tank fire in Glenpool. Rileys Senate district includes the community of Glenpool. read more.

Oklahoma City Governor Brad Henry and legislative leaders have reached a bipartisan agreement that clears the way for approval of a .09 billion state budget for next fiscal year. The pact, which includes a number of revenue enhancements to help fill a multimillion dollar revenue shortfall, also calls for public education to be funded early this year and in future legislative sessions. The governor, House Speaker Larry E. read more.

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 For Immediate Release: April , 2003 Clip
Sen. Daisy Lawler
Prison Pilot Reading Program Signed Into Law A bill aimed at teaching inmates how to read has been signed into law. Senator Daisy Lawler is the principal author of SB , which was coauthored in the House by Representative Elmer Maddux. Lawler said she was thrilled Governor Henry approved the measure. read more.