A record $2.4 billion public schools appropriation bill was approved in the State Senate Wednesday on a bi-partisan 43-2 vote. The amended version of House Bill 2165 includes a $3,000 across the board raise for state teachers and an increase in incentive pay for teachers who achieve National Board Certification.
Passage of the amended version of House Bill 2165 comes ahead of Saturday’s statutory “Fund Education First” deadline. It includes $204.3 million in new funding for Oklahoma’s public schools.
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The Senate unanimously passed a bill today that will immediately restore funds to cash-strapped rural fire departments across the state.

“It is truly a great day in Oklahoma,” Rabon said. “Senate Bill 1190 is a great step forward to give our heroic volunteer rural firefighters the funding they need to continue to keep our families and communities safe.”
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In an effort to boost economies in rural Oklahoma, two rural democrats have teamed up to push for passage of Senate Bill 1587. The measure’s authors, Senator Susan Paddack of Ada and State Rep. Wes Hilliard of Sulphur are pleased the measure unanimously won the approval of a House panel Wednesday.

Hilliard said the measure modifies the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Act by providing protection for communities and gives incentives to corporations who want to set up in areas after a negative economic event occurs.
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Statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan
“Each of the measures that grew out of House Republicans brief sojourn into rural Oklahoma last year has been assigned to the appropriate committee and each will be given due consideration. Every bill will be weighed on its own merits.
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Senator Tom Adelson, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Sub-Committee on Health and Social Services, today congratulated the Oklahoma Health Care Authority for identifying a way to reduce billing errors and save the state $30 million.

The senator said that he now plans to reduce the OHCA budget by a corresponding amount.

Oklahomans now have even greater access to events at the State Capitol via the Internet. As of Wednesday, February 1, streaming audio and video will be available from two Senate committee rooms as well as in the Senate Chamber. In addition, beginning Monday, all floor votes on bills can be viewed in real time on the Senate website.

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan said the Senate has been on the cutting edge when it comes to utilizing new technology to open up the legislative process.
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The Senate author of the “Back-to-School” sales tax holiday said the tax cut, targeted directly to middle class families, will be among the first bills considered by the Senate Finance Committee.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant and chair of the Finance Committee, said he was pleased Gov. Brad Henry joined Senate Democrats in putting the sales tax holiday at the top of the tax cut agenda. The governor announced Wednesday the proposal would be a centerpiece of his tax cut agenda; Senate Democrats did the same a week earlier.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan announced Wednesday that intends to fast-track through the Senate a measure that would expand college scholarship opportunities for high school students in Oklahoma.

Morgan’s plan calls for raising the maximum income level under which students are eligible to take part in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program from $50,000 to $75,000. The measure would increase the number of students eligible to take part in the program by 20 percent.
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State Senator Mary Easley (D-Tulsa) wants to protect the privacy of mourning families from picketers and other public demonstrations seeking to disrupt funerals in order to bring attention to their causes.

Easley, who serves as vice-chair of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee, filed a measure that would make it illegal to picket prior to, during and following the commencement of a funeral. The House co-author is Rep. Wade Rousselot (D- Waggoner).

State Senate Democrats today announced plans to file legislation that will penalize companies that knowingly employ illegal immigrants and measures that would force drug companies to divulge how much they spend on advertising, lobbying and the salaries for top executives.

In announcing an “Agenda for a More Accountable Oklahoma,” Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan also called for annual performance review audits of state agencies to “make sure Oklahoma taxpayers are getting what they paid for.”