Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, issued the following statement Tuesday on behalf of the Oklahoma Senate Democratic Caucus:

“On Monday, the Legislature came together and passed legislation with strong bipartisan support to address a large budget shortfall resulting in part from the impact of COVID-19 on Oklahoma’s economy. These budget bills are now on the governor’s desk awaiting his signature.

House Speaker Charles McCall and Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat issued the following statements in response to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s announcement today that he believes budget cuts are necessary in the current fiscal year:

Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, issued the following statement regarding Monday’s special session:

“On Monday the Oklahoma Legislature, meeting under strict health and safety protocols, took several unprecedented actions to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Oklahoma. Oklahoma Senate Democrats voted to concur with Governor Kevin Stitt’s executive order declaring a health emergency under the Catastrophic Health Emergency Act.

The Oklahoma Legislature met Monday and approved measures to stabilize the state budget and affirm the governor’s health emergency declaration in response to COVID-19.

The Oklahoma Senate met in special session and regular session on Monday and employed social distancing measures to protect the health and safety of the senators and few essential staff working at the Capitol. Some of those measures included checking temperatures of those entering the Capitol, limiting the number of senators on the Senate floor to 10 at a time, and wearing cloth masks sewn by a Senate staffer.

*Due to technical difficulties, a portion of the audio from Sen. Treat April 6, 2020 Media Briefing is available.

Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, released the following statement Friday afternoon regarding her decision to remain home when the legislature reconvenes next week to protect her family.

“I’m the primary caregiver of my 81-year-old father who has been experiencing extensive health problems, and must only get out if absolutely necessary.  My husband is also a front-line healthcare worker who has to limit his exposure to ensure best care for his patients.

Sen. Adam Pugh, Chair of the Legislative Aerospace Caucus, is applauding the University of Oklahoma’s announcement of the addition of two new graduate programs in aerospace and defense through the Michael F. Price College of Business.

Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, issued the following statement on Friday:

“The Senate Democratic Caucus has been reviewing Governor Kevin Stitt’s health emergency declaration and call to special session for Monday, April 6. This will be our first official activity in the Senate Chamber since the Capitol was closed following the positive test of a staffer on March 17th. 

State Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City, released the following statement on Friday regarding his decision to remain home while the Senate convenes in a special session to vote on the governor’s declaration of a health emergency due to COVID-19 in Oklahoma.