State Sen. Mike Schulz, R-Altus, has joined the Senate Republican Rural Caucus. The group was formed in 2005 by GOP senators who represent rural districts so they could provide a united voice for rural issues in the Oklahoma State Legislature.

A measure to protect Oklahoma's children from Internet predators is on its way to the Governor's desk after receiving final approval from the State Senate Wednesday. Senate Bill 1479 is authored by Senator Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, and Rep. Purcy Walker, D-Elk City.
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With the Senate’s liberal Democrat leadership threatening to shut down the state government if they don’t get their way on the state budget, State Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee announced he wants to work with moderate Democrat senators to support the compromise budget and tax relief package.

The Oklahoma State Senate passed a Republican-authored pro-life bill Thursday, which included legislative language from several pro-life bills that were killed by the Senate’s Democrat leadership earlier this year.

The Senate Democrat leadership had indicated earlier this week that they did not want to allow Senate Bill 1742 to be brought to the floor for a vote. But the bill had overwhelming bipartisan support, and Democrat leaders reversed course and allowed the vote to occur Thursday.

Senate Bill 1742 passed the Senate on a 38-8 vote, and now goes to Gov. Brad Henry.

“Improve Oklahoma!” Sen. Debbe Leftwich says that should be the guiding principle in solving the partisan budget impasse that is stonewalling completion of this year’s session of the Oklahoma Legislature.

The Southside Oklahoma City lawmaker said plans tossed out by Gov. Brad Henry and Republicans in the House of Representatives in the waning days of the session don’t do enough of that.

That’s why Leftwich favors a plan by Senate Democrats that requires the state to pay its outstanding bills and keep its promises before enacting broad tax cuts.

Senate Bill 1495, known as the Kyle Williams Boating Safety Education Act, is one step closer to becoming law. That’s after winning final Senate approval Thursday afternoon. The legislation is named for 12 year old Kyle Williams of Edmond, who died as a result of a jet ski accident in August 2004.
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An Ardmore lawmaker’s battle with cancer more than three years ago inspired those that heard his story. So much so that a research lab at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center will now be called the Senator Johnnie Crutchfield Central Research Lab. The Senator was honored at a ceremony at the OU Heath Sciences Center on Thursday, May 18.

Oklahoma trial lawyers have likely won their battle against Republican efforts this year to curb lawsuit abuse, a Republican state senator said Friday.

“As long as Democrats run the State Senate, the trial lawyers will run the State Senate. We need a Republican Senate majority if we are ever going to pass meaningful lawsuit reform in Oklahoma,” stated Sen. Cliff Branan, R-Oklahoma City.

Survivors of the USS Oklahoma are closer than ever to achieving their dream of erecting a permanent memorial to the 429 crewmen who lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor. The initial memorial design was formally unveiled at the State Capitol on Friday, which also marked the official kickoff of the fundraising effort.

A Republican state senator said GOP Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin and new Sen. Mike Schulz of Altus both deserve credit for the decision by the Senate’s liberal Democrat leadership to reverse their decision and allow a vote on a GOP-authored pro-life bill Thursday.

“Gov. Fallin had indicated privately through Republican leaders that she was willing to take the chair as Senate President to force a vote on pro-life SB 1742. Plus, the math changed this week when Mike Schulz was sworn in, giving Republicans a 23rd vote in the Senate,” stated Sen. Owen Laughlin, R-Woodward.