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State Sen. Harry Coates said he was outraged that his private correspondences had been taken and used online without permission. Coates, R-Seminole, said he has also been the target of blogs posted fraudulently using his name, as well as numerous phone calls to his office, home and to other relatives, of an abusive and sometimes obscene nature.
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Another historic painting will soon grace the walls of the State Capitol following a dedication in the Senate Chamber Wednesday. The piece of art, by Timothy Tyler, depicts American Rough Rider and Territorial Governor Frank Frantz fighting in the bloodiest and most famous battle of the Spanish-American War, the Battle of San Juan Hill.
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An omnibus pro-life bill passed the Oklahoma State Senate Wednesday with a bipartisan vote.

Senate Bill 1878 by Senator Todd Lamb, R-Edmond, and Representative Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa, contains several pro-life initiatives, passing the Senate with a vote of 38-10.

With a unanimous vote, the Oklahoma Senate gave its final approval Tuesday to a bill that would establish a public umbilical cord blood bank in Oklahoma.

House Bill 3060 – written by Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, and Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, D-Oklahoma City – would give Oklahoma families a way to donate umbilical cord blood. The blood is often discarded as medical waste following the birth of a healthy baby, but is rich in adult stem cells that can be used to treat a variety of ailments.

The Oklahoma State Senate recognized Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith and his wife Bobbi on Thursday with a standing ovation. Smith, along with several other members of the Cherokee Nation were there as part of the 8th annual Cherokee Nation Legislative Day at the State Capitol.

Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, introduced Smith and credited him and the Cherokee Nation for partnering with the state on a variety of projects including education, healthcare and transportation.

Legislation to require day care providers to carry liability insurance has cleared its first major hurdle in the State Senate. House Bill 2863, called Demarion’s Law, was approved unanimously by the Senate Rules Committee on Wednesday.
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State Sen. Harry Coates said he was appalled that Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, was “gaveled down” during a House committee hearing on legislation to make English the “official” language of Oklahoma.

“The Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation was not allowed to share his concerns about the legislation and was treated badly,” said Coates, R-Seminole. “I believe he should have been given the courtesy of expressing his views in what is supposed to be the people’s house.”
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State Sen. Harry Coates said he was appalled that Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, was “gaveled down” during a House committee hearing on legislation to make English the “official” language of Oklahoma.

“The Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation was not allowed to share his concerns about the legislation and was treated badly,” said Coates, R-Seminole. “I believe he should have been given the courtesy of expressing his views in what is supposed to be the people’s house.”
read more.