A Weekly Update on all of the Good News about Oklahoma

Because much of the good news about our state is sometimes overlooked by state leaders and others, many positive developments and success stories in Oklahoma go unreported. It is our hope that "Oklahoma Pride," a weekly publication of the Oklahoma Senate, will ensure that the best stories about Oklahoma are told.

For example, this week in Oklahoma, did you know that......

A Weekly Update on all of the Good News about Oklahoma

Because much of the good news about our state is sometimes overlooked by state leaders and others, many positive developments and success stories in Oklahoma go unreported. It is our hope that "Oklahoma Pride," a weekly publication of the Oklahoma Senate, will ensure that the best stories about Oklahoma are told.

For example, this week in Oklahoma, did you know that......

Members of North America's Superhighway Coalition will meet with lawmakers and Coalition officials in Tulsa later this week as they prepare for the 1997 legislative sessions, both in Oklahoma and Washington D.C.

The Coalition was formed in 1994 to work for the designation of I-35 as a High Priority Corridor and make the states through which it runs eligible for a share of federal funding set aside under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991.

Threatens Economic Development Efforts

Even though Governor Keating's attitude toward higher education has evolved from its original budget cut mentality, he still isn't providing colleges and universities with the resources they need to help attract high-tech industries and high-paying jobs, according to a Senate budget leader.

"Governor Keating has come a long way on higher education, but unfortunately for Oklahoma, he hasn't come far enough," said Senator Cal Hobson, vice-chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Restores Veto Funding with Budget Increases

In an apparent effort to correct his veto mistakes of last year, Governor Keating is restoring vetoed funding to a number of agencies in his fiscal year 1998 executive budget. However, instead of restoring the vetoed funding through the traditional supplemental appropriation method, Keating is attempting to conceal the corrective measure by lumping the money in the agency's overall budget for the next fiscal year.

Businesses A Step Closer to $54 Million Savings

A Senate initiative to reduce Oklahoma's unemployment tax by $54 million has cleared its first legislative hurdle, passing out of the Senate Finance Committee today.

"This is the first step to giving Oklahoma businesses a huge tax break," said Senator Fisher, chairman of the Senate Economic Development Committee and author of SB 40.

Senate Budget Leader Lauds Revenue Growth

The latest revenue report from the Office of State Finance confirms what legislative leaders have suspected for years: the state's economic policies are stimulating strong and steady growth across Oklahoma.

"Just when we thought the revenue figures couldn't get any better, they have." said Senator Kelly Haney, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

With the Oklahoma Senate prepared to vote on the bill that will ultimately carry the appropriation for higher education, a Senate budget leader is urging Governor Keating to increase his support for colleges and universities to at least match the investment program outlined by the Oklahoma Senate.

Senate leaders have proposed a $75 million increase for higher education. The funding will ultimately be added into the budget shell bill that will be approved by the Senate today.

Saying good news is often overlooked by state leaders and others, a Senate leader has unveiled a new publication designed to tell the success stories of Oklahoma. Oklahoma Pride will be distributed by Senator Keith Leftwich every week during the legislative session.

"It seems all too often when you turn on the T.V. or pick up a newspaper, you see someone saying something bad about Oklahoma," said Senator Leftwich, the Majority Whip of the Oklahoma Senate.

OKLAHOMA CITY - An interim study on a school consolidation measure has been requested by the bill's author. Senator Bill Gustafson said he wants Senate Bill 751 held over until next year so the issue can receive more study.

"The issue of who's paying and who's not paying for high school funding is central to this bill," said Gustafson, R-El Reno. "I think it's worth holding it over until next year so all the facts can be heard."

SB 751 calls for the consolidation of dependent school districts with independent districts.