State Sen. Mike Mazzei wants the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to reject an application that could increase utility costs for AEP-PSO residential and business customers. On Tuesday, Mazzei authored and won approval for Senate Resolution 115, which calls for the Commission to reject a long-term power sales agreement that would force the utility company to buy electricity from a planned cogeneration plant near Lawton.
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The State Senate has passed a resolution honoring the outstanding career of professional football player, Troy Aikman. Senate Resolution 53, authored by Senator Frank Shurden, praises Aikman's athletic prowess throughout his high school, college and professional football career and congratulates him for being selected as an inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan issued the following statement in response to Governor Brad Henry’s issuance of a call for a special session to address the state budget.

“While it is unfortunate that we won’t be able to complete our budget work by Friday’s deadline, I believe the most important thing is that we do the job right. This year that will require some additional time.
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The full Senate has given unanimous approval to a measure ensuring the future of the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSUCOM). Senate Bill 1771 will create an authority and trust to execute and implement the terms of an Academic Affiliation Agreement recently reached between OSUCOM and the Tulsa Regional Medical Center (TRMC).

Sen. Mike Mazzei is co-author of the legislation, which he called critical to the survival of the medical school.
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State Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee of Oklahoma City made the following statement regarding Gov. Brad Henry’s call for a special session on the state budget:

“This is the special session that should not be. It is only necessary because of the weeks of obstruction by Senate Democrats and their unwillingness to allow a meaningful income tax cut for Oklahoma taxpayers in a year with a record tax surplus,” Coffee said.

State Sen. James A. Williamson said Gov. Brad Henry’s call for a special session on the state budget is a failure of leadership by the governor.

“This special session is a failure of leadership by Gov. Henry. It is incredible to me that he apparently has no ability to convince any of the Senate Democrats to compromise on the budget and tax cuts,” stated Williamson, R-Tulsa.

Senator Nancy Riley said the State Senate on Thursday took an important step to ensure the protection of our most vulnerable citizens by passing her bill to reform the Sex Offender Registration Act.

“Several recent incidents have brought to light an urgent need for these reforms,” said Riley, R-Tulsa. “The residents in my district have been extremely concerned about this issue and I’m pleased the Senate passed this measure, taking it one step closer to becoming law.”

Legislation was approved Thursday on the House floor for the creation of an African-American Centennial Plaza to be built south of the State Capitol as part of Oklahoma’s Centennial celebration in 2007.

Senate Bill 1919, co-authored by Sen. Constance N. Johnson (D-Oklahoma City) and Rep. Jabar Shumate (D- Tulsa), calls for the creation of an African-American Centennial Plaza and a committee to oversee the design of the project. It now goes to Gov. Brad Henry for his signature.

Oklahoma’s deaf and hearing impaired students are one step closer to having better access to specialized education. The State Senate unanimously passed House Bill 1646 Thursday authored by Chickasha Republicans Senator Ron Justice and House Speaker Pro Tempore Susan Winchester.
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Senator Gumm Nears Victory in Struggle to Protect Children

The original author of legislation to allow the death penalty for repeat child molesters is now only one step away from seeing the proposal signed into law.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, has pressed for passage of the legislation for the entire 2006 session.

“This has been a long struggle, with many twists and turns,” he said. “Now, working with lawmakers of both parties and in both the Senate and House of Representatives, we are close to victory.”