(Oklahoma City) A top transportation official said Friday that funding for repair and maintenance of Oklahoma’s crumbling roads and bridges has turned the corner thanks to Legislation authored by Senator Frank Shurden, D-Henryetta.

House Bill 1176, authored by Shurden and Representative Mark Liotta, will more than double the annual funding for road maintenance in the next five years.

Sen. Daisy Lawler has been chosen to chair a task force examining the issue of illegal immigration in Oklahoma. Lawler, D-Comanche, was author of a resolution calling for the creation of the task force during the 2006 session.

Two years after Oklahoma voters approved a state question allowing Oklahoma horse racing tracks to operate video gaming machines, Oklahoma’s horse industry is experiencing a major resurgence, Sen. Cal Hobson said on Tuesday.
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(Oklahoma City) Issues ranging from the cost of telephone contracts with Oklahoma prisons to strengthening the actuarial soundness of the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System and improving boating safety will be among those studied by members of the Oklahoma State Senate in the coming months.

A total of 10 Senate interim study requests have been approved by President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan.

State Sen. Cal Hobson said the legislation ceremoniously signed by the Governor Monday providing funding for the creation of a world-class diabetes center will pay dividends for Oklahoma for years to come in terms of improved health and economic development. Hobson was principal author of the legislation creating the facility and was on hand for Monday’s ceremony.
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Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee said Wednesday he was glad two of his veteran members would be continuing their service in the State Senate. Sen. James A. Williamson of Tulsa had sought to become the Republican nominee for Governor while Sen. Nancy Riley, also of Tulsa, had thrown her hat into the Lt. Governor's race. Since each is midway in their current four-year terms, they will return to serve the remaining two years of their terms in the Senate.
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Statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan

“The decision by Judge Owens to dismiss the OEA lawsuit is great news for educators, school children and communities all across this state. The dismissal proves that it is the exclusive prerogative of the Legislature to set school funding policies for Oklahoma.

“Senate Democrats have proven time and time again that we are more than willing to do our part to fund education at the level deserving of the future of our great state.

Sen. Clark Jolley said Friday the decision by Oklahoma County District Judge Daniel Owens to dismiss the Oklahoma Education Associations (OEA) lawsuit against the State Legislature was good news for the entire state. Jolley said he was glad that the judge saw through the OEAs attempts to appropriate monies through the wrong channel.

The OEAs attempts were the wrong course of action and sent the wrong signal to the legislature and Oklahoma citizens, said Jolley, R-Edmond. This part in the national movement has met a dead end in Oklahoma.
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Statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan

“It is the responsibility of Governor Henry to set the agenda for special session, not the Legislature.

“The Governor made it very clear when he issued the call for special session that he wants the Legislature to focus our efforts on writing a state budget.

Governor Brad Henry on Wednesday signed a measure modifying requirements for applicants to the Small Employer Quality Jobs Act, including a provision that would require applicants in low-income areas to pay employees 100 percent of the average county wage.

Rep. R.C. Pruett, House author of House Bill 2628, said the wage requirement depends upon unemployment and income statistics.
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