Governor Brad Henry signed a bill into law this week that will consolidate and reorganize the duties and functions of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.

"The Department is a conglomeration of various government entities and the current set up is not working efficiently," said Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah. "This year, the Department received a 25-percent budget cut which caused the agency to have to restructure it divisions to streamline costs, personnel and activities.

Two tax reduction bills signed into law Tuesday by Governor Brad Henry will mean that Oklahoma working families will soon be paying fewer state income taxes, Senate Finance Chairman Jay Paul Gumm said.

“The tax cuts signed into law by the governor today will strengthen families by putting money back in the pockets of every Oklahoma taxpayer and help us make a better tomorrow for our children,” said Gumm, a Democrat from Durant.

A bill to outlaw the impersonation of a veteran or member of the military has been signed into law. Gov. Brad Henry signed the measure on Monday. Sen. Don Barrington is principal author of Senate Bill 777 which includes fines and jail time for the crime.

“The idea that someone would even do this is a slap in the face to the men and women who really have risked their lives for our country. But when you have an emergency or disaster situation, these impersonators could wind up putting people in harm’s way,” said Barrington, R-Lawton.

Senator Kenneth Corn today called on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to adopt competitive bidding rules for utilities that would save Oklahomans thousands of dollars on their electric bills.

In testimony before the Commission Monday, Corn, D-Poteau, told commissioners that requiring utility companies to competitively bid electric power generation and fuel purchases will save money for rate payers.

“I am thankful for the leadership Governor Henry has displayed by expanding the special session to include funding priorities for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC).
“On Tuesday I asked the Governor for his help on this matter because I was fearful that waiting any longer to address the issue of additional funding for DOC would seriously compromise the safety of Oklahoma communities.

State Sen. Randy Brogdon said he had serious concerns that one item on the Governor’s expanded special session call could waste millions of taxpayer dollars. Specifically, the Owasso Republican questioned the second item of the amended call which asked lawmakers to consider funding for the Oklahoma Capitol Complex.

Senate Republican leaders said today a “compromise” workers’ compensation bill represents a small step in the right direction, but it falls short of the landmark, “A+” bill that was called for at the beginning of the legislative session – leaving workers’ comp reform as a major issue heading into the 2006 elections.

State Senators Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a workers’ compensation reform measure that will save Oklahoma businesses more than $110 million while protecting the rights of injured workers.
Final passage of the measure, which is endorsed by the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, is expected by the end of the week.

In a 39-7 vote, Senators sent Senate Bill 1X to the Oklahoma House of Representatives for consideration.

“Senate Democrats remain focused on protecting Oklahoma families because we believe public safety should be our number one priority.

“Until Speaker Hiett and other Republican leaders of the House are willing to come to the table with workable solutions to address the crisis facing the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC), we will remain uninterested in discussing funding for parades and fireworks.

The Joint Task Force on Eminent Domain formed by Sen. Clark Jolley (R-Edmond) and Rep. Mark Liotta (R-Tulsa) has announced three meeting dates in August. Jolley and Liotta formed the ad hoc task force to consider the ramifications of the U.S. Supreme Court's Kelo vs. City of New London ruling on Oklahoma property owners and to develop a legislative remedy to the decision.