The Oklahoma State Senate has announced another technological innovation to open up the legislative process to the public. Beginning Monday, February 28, anyone with Internet access will be able to see and hear the proceedings live from the Senate Chamber, via webcast.

“Last year we began offering live streaming audio. Now anyone who is interested will be able to see live video from the chamber as well,” Hobson said. “I think this is going to be exciting for students, educators and any one in the public who would like to learn more about their government.”
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A bill aimed at helping the more than 700,000 Oklahomans who are without health insurance cleared another legislative hurdle today as it passed off the Senate floor. Senate author of the bill, Tom Adelson, (D-Tulsa) said the measure requires hospitals to extend discounts for certain income eligible patients. Senate Bill 848 now goes to the House where it is authored by State Representative Thad Balkman (R-Norman).
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A bill to require an alphanumeric sequence rather than computer-generated numbers for Oklahoma driver licenses or identification cards has won Senate approval. Sen. Clark Jolley is principal author of the measure.

“If you look at an Oklahoma driver’s license and a Social Security number, you can’t distinguish the two. Since numerous businesses now require your driver license number for financial transactions, I believe it is imperative that we are able to simply glance at the number and be able to distinguish it from a Social Security number,” explained Jolley, R-Edmond read more.

Majority Democrats in the Oklahoma State Senate made a power play at Tuesday’s legislative organizational day on a pair of votes to amend the rules that govern the Senate’s procedures.

“Senate Republicans were seeking a more open, more democratic process within the Senate rules. But in contrast, the Senate Democrats – despite having their narrowest majority ever –decided instead to operate behind closed doors. The majority made a power play instead of opening up the process to more debate and new ideas,” stated Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee of Oklahoma City.

Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson was officially elected to a second term as leader of the State Senate Tuesday as the First Session of the 50th Oklahoma Legislature convened for Organization Day.
Hobson, who served in the House from 1978 to 1990, is entering his 27th year in the Oklahoma Legislature. He was elected Tuesday by a vote of 26-21.
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State Senator Debbe Leftwich, D-OKC, has filed a bill that would prohibit any former lawmaker or other elected official from becoming a lobbyist for two years after leaving office. A second bill would prohibit any elected official from accepting contributions within the State Capitol.

“The reason for both of these bills is simple—to improve public confidence in the Legislature,” Leftwich said.
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Comments from Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson, D-Lexington

“We’ve been following the efforts of Governor Henry’s bi-partisan study group and I’m anxious to see its proposal. Just yesterday I met with more than half a dozen of Tulsa’s most prominent business leaders discussing at length the progress of the governor’s task force and their own efforts to craft bi-partisan reforms to our state’s workers’ compensation system.

Comments from Senator Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater

“We stand behind the commitment that Senate Leadership made to the college presidents last spring and remain in support of the $500 million higher education bond issue. We also believe it’s important to make passage of this legislation one of the first priorities when the Legislature convenes next month.

“The economic development impact of this bond issue goes far beyond the 4,000 initial construction jobs and the $700 million that projects themselves will pump into Oklahoma’s economy.
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Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee said today that Senate Republicans are generally supportive of the higher education bond proposal, but are concerned whether the new state lottery will provide sufficient funds to pay the annual debt service.

“Senate Republicans have long been very supportive of higher education, and I am certain there will be widespread support within our caucus for the concept of a higher education bond issue,” stated Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.

Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee has filed legislation which would make county elected positions nonpartisan. Those positions would include offices such as county commissioners, sheriffs, treasurers and county clerks. Sen. Coffee said the idea makes sense on a number of levels.
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