Oklahoma business owners could benefit from another reduction in the state unemployment tax if Senator Lewis Long gets his way. The Glenpool legislator is currently drafting legislation that would cut the tax by another $38 million, in addition to boosting benefits for displaced workers.

"Thanks to the economic growth we've experienced, the state is piling up surplus money in the unemployment fund. I think we should return that money to the people who paid it in the first place and give unemployed workers a helping hand at the same time," said Senator Long.

The chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee will lead the legislative push to regulate hog and poultry farming operations this coming legislative session. Senator Paul Muegge is in the process of drafting legislation that will ultimately carry proposals based upon the recommendations of Governor Keating's Waste and Water Quality Protection Task Force.

Two of Tulsa's leading state lawmakers are asking the State Regents for Higher Education to put their latest proposal for Tulsa higher education in written legislation. Senator Penny Williams and Senator Charles Ford want a concrete pledge that any future changes to the current Rogers University structure will benefit the students and stakeholders in Oklahoma's second largest city.

In an effort to ensure that the students of Rogers University retain their voice in the administration of the institution, some Tulsa state lawmakers have unveiled a "Contract with the Consumers" detailing the priorities that should be kept in mind during the ongoing debate about RU's future. The State Regents for Higher Education have proposed an overhaul of Rogers University.

The chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee on Animal Waste and Water Quality is calling the panel's first meeting today a "good, first step," stressing that the hog and poultry farming issue will remain at the top of the legislative priority list.

Citing a surplus at the State Insurance Fund, two prominent legislators are calling for the fund's board to approve a dividend for the Oklahoma businesses it insures. Senator Ben Robinson and Representative Bill Settle are asking the fund board to implement a one-time dividend ranging from $60 million to $100 million.

"When there's a surplus at the fund, that means Oklahoma businesses are paying too much for their insurance. A lot of small businesses around Oklahoma are insured by the fund and they would benefit greatly from a dividend," said Senator Robinson.

OKLAHOMA CITY - State Senator Jeff Rabon (D-Hugo) is introducing legislation giving sales tax credits to companies or individuals that develop tourism projects.

"The idea is simple and more importantly successful," said Senator Rabon. "Qualifying companies or individuals would be able to receive back a large portion of their sales taxes just for developing tourism. It's the same principle used by the Quality Jobs Act which pays companies a portion of its payroll in return for expansion or new hires."

The State Regents for Higher Education will violate state law if they implement an initiative designed to give them greater control over Rogers University, according to Senator Charles Ford. Last week, it was revealed the regents were working on a plan to shake up the four-school consortium and reduce the influence of the local Rogers University board.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Seven members of the Oklahoma State Legislature are in Houston to hear presentations and participate in tours hosted by three Texas companies.

The Legislators are members of the Joint Electric Utility Task Force. The Houston trip is designed to see first-hand how electricity is traded.

During the upcoming legislative session, the task force members will serve as the "eyes and ears" for the entire legislature regarding technical issues as Oklahoma moves toward electric choice by the year 2002, as called for in Senate Bill 500.