State Sen. Kevin Matthews will announce the completion of a curriculum to be taught statewide related to the 1921 Race Riot on Tuesday, February 20 at Douglass High School (900 North Martin Luther King Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) at 10:15am. Matthews is the founder and Chair of the 1921 Centennial Commission that created the curriculum to educate the public about the riot, which is also referred to as a massacre by locals and many who have studied this tragedy.

State Sen. James Leewright has been recognized by the Association of General Contractors of Oklahoma (AGCOK) for his efforts on behalf of the state’s construction industry.  Leewright, R-Bristow, was given AGCOK’s Legislator of the Year award at their annual banquet held recently in Tulsa.

Leewright, who chairs the Senate’s Committee on Business, Commerce and Tourism, said he was honored to be named Legislator of the Year.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democratic Leader Designate Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, announced committee assignments today for members of the Senate Democratic Caucus for the 57th Legislature.

“Senators in the Democratic Caucus come to the legislature with extensive real world experience in a wide range of professional backgrounds, including education, business, law, military, firefighting, mental health, clergy, arts, and non-profits,” Floyd said.

State Sen. Tom Dugger has authored legislation to make college textbooks exempt from sales taxes in Oklahoma. Dugger, R-Stillwater, said after discussing the idea with students from Oklahoma State University, he decided to file Senate Bill 1150.

“College textbooks can be extremely expensive, with students easily spending hundreds of dollars each semester on their books,” Dugger said.  “I think any relief for students will be of help, including giving them a sales tax exemption on their textbooks.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has filed legislation prohibiting law enforcement entities from enacting policies that require officers, justices or judges to meet traffic citation quotas.

“It’s no secret that some jurisdictions may emphasize writing tickets at different times to try and generate more revenue,” Dahm said. “Our peace officers shouldn’t be pushed by their employers to focus on writing extra tickets or collecting extra revenue from citations.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation filed by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, would declare 2020 the “Year of the Bible.”

Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 would recognize the unique contribution the Bible has made in shaping the United States, including that biblical teachings inspired civil government concepts found in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The resolution also recognizes that many U.S. presidents have paid tribute to the influence of the Bible.

“Make America Great Again” and “Keep America Great” license plates may soon be cruising by in a lane near you.

Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has filed Senate Bill 1384, which would create special “Make America Great Again” and “Keep America Great” Oklahoma license plates. Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore, is co-author of the bill.

Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, wants to crack down on the state’s sanctuary city policies.

Dahm recently filed Senate Bill 1459, which prohibits any municipality in Oklahoma to adopt a sanctuary policy. Under the bill, any city or town that enacts such a policy would be ineligible for state funding through agencies and grants.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. David Bullard has been chosen to serve on several key committees in the Oklahoma State Senate.  Senate President Pro Tempore-designate Greg Treat announced the appointments Friday.

Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City, has filed legislation to honor one of Oklahoma’s sons for his bravery and sacrifice during World World II. Senate Bill 1428 will designate the Interstate 240 bridge over Western Avenue in Oklahoma City as the “Medal of Honor Recipient Sergeant John R. Crews Memorial Bridge”.