OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator George Burns, R-Pollard, today recognized two young students from McCurtain County for their award-winning entries in the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s 2025 Trash Poster Contest.

First grader Alyla Gribnitz of Lukfata Elementary School in Broken Bow and fifth grader Lydia Bundy of Bundy Homeschool in Idabel each placed third in their respective grade levels out of nearly 4,000 entries submitted from across the state across all grade levels.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen.

Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener (left), and Sen. George Burns, R-Pollard, pose for a photo with Virginia “Jenny” Oliver in the Oklahoma Senate lounge. Senator Burns recognized Oliver for her 50-year career at Pocola Public School.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator George Burns, R-Pollard, honored Virginia “Jenny” Oliver of Pocola on the floor of the Oklahoma Senate this week, presenting her with a formal legislative citation in recognition of more than five decades of extraordinary service to Oklahoma students and families.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill to ensure a timely response to open records requests is headed for a vote by the full Senate. Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt is Senate principal author of House Bill 2095, which received unanimous approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee this week.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Members of the Senate and House Democratic Caucuses are stepping up their call for votes on joint resolutions to reject Superintendent Ryan Walters’ social studies standards. If the Legislature fails to act in the coming days, those standards will take effect in the 2025-26 school year.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, advanced House Bill 1592 to create a new crime of organized retail crime (ORC), which is defined by multiple elements that indicate the presence of criminal organizations. This business-driven legislation responds to the increasing threat posed by organized theft rings to Oklahoma’s retailers and economy.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved legislation from Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, aimed at prohibiting obscene adult performances on public property or in any location where minors could be present.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, has won unanimous approval from the Senate Education Committee for House Bill 1601, a bipartisan measure to allow teachers to use up to six weeks of accrued sick leave to extend their six-week maternity leave.