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The Senate Appropriations Committee passed two bills which are part of the Senate Republican legislative agenda today. SB646 and SB980, which would form the state Office of Accountability and Innovation; and a state Chief Information Officer respectively, are authored by Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee.

“When passed and signed into law, these two new offices will greatly enhance the efficiency of state government,” said Coffee.

The Senate Education Committee approved a measure Monday to study the efficiency of Internet-based instruction in Oklahoma. Senate Bill 604 would create a task force to review such programs and make recommendations regarding necessary changes to ensure accountability for those in public schools.
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The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a measure aimed to break cycles of violence that can lead to the children of inmates eventually becoming inmates themselves. Senator Debbe Leftwich is the principal author of Senate Bill 448. This bill would require the judge to have written findings related to the placement of the children of inmates who are single custodial parents, most of whom are women.
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Being a breast cancer survivor, State Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre is all too aware of the confusion that faces many cancer patients when trying to learn about their illness or find help. For this reason, she has authored Senate Bill 434 to authorize the State Department of Health (OSDH) to create a cancer patient navigation program.

The State Senate honored the country’s first female Rock and Roll singer Tuesday. Senate Resolution 6 congratulated Wanda Jackson on her lifetime of success in the music industry as well as being the first Oklahoma woman to be inducted into the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame.
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The State Senate honored the country’s first female Rock and Roll singer Tuesday. Senate Resolution 6 congratulated Wanda Jackson on her lifetime of success in the music industry as well as being the first Oklahoma woman to be inducted into the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame.
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The Oklahoma Senate has honored a man who devoted four decades of his life to strengthening one of the state’s largest pension systems. Tommy C. Beavers officially retired as Executive Secretary of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma last month. State Sen. Kenneth Corn is the principal author of Senate Resolution 4, which was approved by the full Senate on Monday. Corn said Beavers, who is fighting inoperable lung cancer, has been a remarkable steward of the pension system.
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2008 Jim Thorpe Award winner Malcolm Jenkins was honored on the floor of the state Senate on Monday. The Senate unanimously approved Senate Resolution 3, recognizing and commending the standout defensive back from Ohio State University.

As a junior, Jenkins was selected first-team Pro Football Weekly All-American, first team All-Big Ten, second team Walter Camp All-American, and a Thorpe semi-finalist. He recorded 47 tackles during the season. He was selected as defensive player of the week and won the Arnie Chonko Award for Outstanding Defensive Back.

As a breast cancer survivor, Senator Judy Eason McIntyre knows the importance of early detection. She works hard to help raise awareness within state government of the disease as well as find funding and gain support for those Oklahomans diagnosed with breast cancer.

State leaders announced a plan today to streamline services for agencies and organizations that serve Oklahoma’s children. Lt. Governor Jari Askins, Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, Rep. Joe Dorman and others discussed legislation that would create Oklahoma’s first-ever Children’s Cabinet.