Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin and Senate Republican leaders said Thursday they were right when they predicted four weeks ago that Gov. Brad Henry would attempt to water down workers’ compensation reform if the issue went to a conference committee instead of receiving an up-or-down vote in the Senate.

Now it is too late in the legislative session for a good workers’ compensation reform bill to be produced – meaning the issue will have to be resolved in a special session of the Legislature this summer.

A bill to enable consumers to get defects with their newly built home repaired at a swift rate did not make it over its final legislative hurdle and was vetoed by Governor Brad Henry this week. Senator Todd Lamb stated that Senate Bill 431, also known as the Homeowner Construction Defect Protection Act, would have provided those who hire a builder to construct their new home with a peace of mind so if problems did arise, they would be remedied quicker and less costly than current law allows.

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan declared Thursday that Senate Democrats are unwilling to deny injured workers the right to choose their own physician.

Morgan said he is still hopeful that Republicans will agree to the latest Democratic proposal that protects physician choice and would save Oklahoma businesses $100 million.

With Memorial Day approaching, the State Senate honored an Oklahoma World War II veteran today at the Capitol with a resolution recognizing his years of service and sacrifice in the United State Air Force.

Senate Resolution 50, authored by Sen. Earl Garrison, was heard before the Senate this afternoon and recognized the outstanding war record and distinguished military career of Muskogee resident, Colonel Albert Eldon Hill who served his country for 41 years.

“We’re very pleased that Speaker Hiett has agreed to this additional investment in healthcare in Oklahoma. It’s proof that democracy works, that the deliberative process has succeeded. We have been advoacting for weeks, along with members of the healthcare community, that Oklahoma needs to leverage additional federal dollars to fund indigent healthcare. We have been encouraging the Speaker to join us in this fight and this afternoon he has done that.”

Statement from Senator Tom Adelson

A measure to make the Employer Quality Jobs Act more sensitive to 21st century jobs, like the ones being created in the biotech industry, has received unanimous approval from the Senate.

Principal author of Senate Bill 407, Sen. Mike Mazzei said the measure will help draw new companies and businesses with high paying jobs to Oklahoma by offering special incentives.

"This legislation is very important for companies," said Mazzei, R-Tulsa. "It lets them know that Oklahoma is a hotbed for research and new technology start-ups."

Senator Tom Adelson announced Thursday that he will author legislation this coming session to ensure that Oklahoma is better prepared to deal with an influenza pandemic in coming years.

Adelson said his legislation will call on the Oklahoma Department of Health to assume greater responsibility for adequately stockpiling antiviral drugs and not rely on the federal government as its sole provider.

State Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, called on Giovanni Perry, an appointee of Gov. Brad Henry, to resign from her advisory post for comparing supporters of immigration reform to Nazis. Perry, a Norman immigration lawyer, is a member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Latin American and Hispanic Affairs.

“It is outrageous for an advisor to the Governor of Oklahoma to compare honorable citizens of this great state who oppose illegal immigration to Nazis,” Brogdon stated. “Gov. Henry should immediately call for her resignation from his advisory panel.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan and other Senate leaders pledged once again Friday to fully fund the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program and said the state should build on OHLAP’s success by creating other programs that put a premium on personal responsibility.

On Saturday, September 24th, when State Senator Susan Paddack, an Ada Democrat, heard the news that the body of Caitlin Wooten had been found shot to death by Jerry Don Savage, she knew as a lawmaker she must work to change the laws to prevent another family from being ripped apart by a senseless act of violence. After speaking to Caitlin’s family about their wishes and receiving their support, she began working on legislation that would honor the memory of 16-year-old Caitlin Wooten.