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The Senate author of historic pro-life legislation on its way to the desk of Governor Brad Henry said Thursday’s belated approval of the measure in the House of Representatives was a “victory for all Oklahomans.”

House Bill 1686, by Senator Daisy Lawler and Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, passed the Senate on a 44-4 vote on April 27 and passed the House 95-3 Thursday.
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The Senate author of historic pro-life legislation on its way to the desk of Governor Brad Henry said Thursday’s belated approval of the measure in the House of Representatives was a “victory for all Oklahomans.”

House Bill 1686, by Senator Daisy Lawler and Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, passed the Senate on a 44-4 vote on April 27 and passed the House 95-3 Thursday.
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For the second straight year, the Oklahoma State Senate has proven why it is, in every way, the “upper chamber” by rallying to defeat the House in a 13-7 win at the SBC Bricktown Ballpark. The Senate was able to overcome a House lineup that somehow managed to send its best hitters to the plate every inning.
An early lead by the Senate was fueled by Republican Leader Glenn “Coffee Can” Coffee’s triple into the left-field corner.
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Legislation to help keep better tabs on registered sex offenders has won final Senate approval and is now headed to Gov. Brad Henry. Sen. Charles Wyrick, D-Fairland, is the author of Senate Bill 631, named “Jessica Lunsford’s Law,” after a Florida girl who was molested and murdered. The suspect in that case is a convicted sex offender. Wyrick said the bill, which was approved unanimously, would require registered sex offenders to wear Global Positioning System (GPS) monitors so that law enforcement can better track their locations.
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Senator Jeff Rabon stated today that Oklahoma’s retired educators need legislative support to ensure the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System and the Oklahoma State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board (OSEEGIB) do not have their funds depleted.

A bill that would bring an end to so called “drown nights” is on its way to Gov. Brad Henry. Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, R-OKC, is principal author of the measure, which won final Senate approval on Monday. The House author of Senate Bill 518 is Rep. Thad Balkman, R-Norman.

Drown nights are special events that allow customers to purchase unlimited amounts of 3.2 beer for a flat rate or for a sharply discounted price. SB 518 would bring an end to those promotions.
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Members of the Senate and the House will represent their respective chambers as the two sides go head to head for the second annual House vs. Senate baseball game. About half the members of each chamber have signed up to play in the Tuesday afternoon event. State Sen. Scott Pruitt, Managing General Partner of the Oklahoma RedHawks, said all are welcome to cheer on the team of their choice.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan said Wednesday that he was able to reach a resolution to the stand-off with Republican Leader Glenn Coffee and Lt. Governor Mary Fallin by keeping the lines of communication open.

Under the agreement that ended the stalemate, Morgan consented for Fallin to preside over a single vote during Wednesday’s session before handing him back the gavel.
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Senate dispute ends

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – Senate Democrats backed down Wednesday from their efforts to keep Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin from presiding over Senate proceedings and avoid a vote on real workers’ compensation reform.