Senator Debbe Leftwich said Friday that Oklahoma officials should do everything within their power to prevent the closure of the Dayton Tire plant in southwest Oklahoma City.
The Oklahoma City Democrat said she would be working with Governor Brad Henry in an effort to convince company officials to keep the plant open.

State Senator Kenneth Corn questioned Friday why the Republican leadership in the House of Representatives refused to hear a measure that would allow Oklahoma voters to ensure that all motor fuels taxes used for highway and bridge maintenance.

With neither explanation nor comment Thursday, the Oklahoma House of Representatives rejected on a voice vote a proposal to impose the death penalty on repeat child molesters.

With that, and the House’s failure to consider a second bill that contained the death penalty before a legislative deadline, House Republicans put the rights of child molesters above those of their victims, according to the author of the original bill to enact the death penalty for repeat child molesters.

The citizens of Choctaw have been shortchanged by the state’s Centennial Commission. That’s according to State Sen. Cliff Aldridge who said the list of projects approved by the Commission has left him questioning the fairness of the selection process.

An advisory study examining how to ensure the future of the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSUCOM) residency program in Tulsa has been concluded and negotiators are optimistic about the proposal. That’s according to State Sen. Mike Mazzei, a member and lead negotiator with the joint legislative task force charged with finding a long term solution.

An advisory study examining how to ensure the future of the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSUCOM) residency program in Tulsa has been concluded and negotiators are optimistic about the proposal. That’s according to State Sen. Mike Mazzei, a member and lead negotiator with the joint legislative task force charged with finding a long term solution.

Legislation designed to better protect consumers from identity theft was overhauled by the Senate and is now headed to a conference committee for further refinement. House Bill 2083, by Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, and Rep. Guy Liebmann, R-Oklahoma City, was approved by the full Senate on Wednesday.

A bill aimed at strengthening penalties for Internet sexual predators won approval from the full House Wednesday.

Senate Bill 1479, by State Senator Jim Wilson, (D-Tahlequah) and Rep. Purcy Walker, (D-Elk City) increases the punishment for child predators using modern technology to sexually solicit minors, making the crime a felony and increasing the sentence to 10 years in prison.

The bill now goes back to the Senate.

A Senate measure to help protect motorists and make Oklahoma’s roads safer has been signed into law by Governor Brad Henry. Senate Bill 1929, authored by Senator David Myers and Rep. Jim Newport, creates the David Jaggers Law, named after a long-time motorcycling enthusiast and active member in the Downed Bikers Association who was killed by a negligent, reckless motorist while riding his motorcycle.

The State Senate on Wednesday approved a measure designed to better protect children from child abuse.

House Bill 2840, the Kelsey Smith-Briggs Child Protection Reform Act, was named in memorial of a two year-old victim of child abuse from Meeker. The bill would significantly reform the way courts and the state Department of Human Services handle cases related to child abuse and neglect.

Senator Harry Coates, co-author of the bill, said the measure will provide protection for children and prevent future cases from falling through the cracks.