State Sen. Kenneth Corn is calling on fellow members to help pass three measures aimed at removing patronage and politics in appointments and redistricting. Corn, D-Poteau, said he has introduced measures establishing specific qualifications for the appointments of tag agents and county election board secretaries, as well as a measure creating an independent commission for legislative redistricting.

“We are all deeply saddened at the passing of our friend and colleague Senator Kerr. He was a dedicated public servant who loved Oklahoma. His courageous fight was an inspiration to me and all of his colleagues. Bob Kerr was truly a hero.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob’s wife and partner, Robbie, and the rest of the Kerr family in this difficult and trying time.

Senate Republican Floor Leader Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, made the following statement regarding the passing of state Sen. Robert M. Kerr, D-Altus:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Sen. Kerr’s family during their time of loss. Sen. Kerr was a brave and honorable man, a model public servant, and a great friend whom I will dearly miss. The Oklahoma State Senate is brokenhearted today.”

State Sen. Scott Pruitt, today introduced legislation reducing the state income tax from 6.25 percent to 4.9 percent. When fully implemented in 2007, it would be an annual, across the board cut in the state income tax cut of $481 million.

Pruitt cited double-digit growth in state spending last year alone and at least $610 million in new money in the next fiscal year as evidence the cut was necessary and affordable.

Senate Democrats aren’t serious about making Oklahoma a more attractive place for jobs and businesses, Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee said Tuesday.

Coffee made the statement in response to the Senate Democrats’ release of their so-called “responsibility and accountability” small business plan on Tuesday.

Building on past successes and providing innovative solutions for the future, Senate Democrats unveiled their legislative agenda to “Strengthen Small Business” Tuesday afternoon at the Oklahoma State Capitol.
Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan and Shawnee Senator Charlie Laster teamed up to make the announcement.

State Sen. John Ford will continue to push for a new law to prohibit anyone from giving or accepting campaign contributions in any state government building—including the State Capitol.

“We’re here to do the business of the people and I believe my fellow members act in good faith. But I worry about the public’s perception when people are giving and accepting campaign contributions here at the Capitol,” said Ford, R-Bartlesville. “That’s why I filed Senate Bill 1025.”

The state of Oklahoma was hit with more bad economic news last week as Delta Faucet announced that it plans to close its Chickasha plant later this year.

“How many jobs does Oklahoma have to lose before Democrats in the Oklahoma State Senate abandon their failed economic policies? When will Senate Democrats join Republicans in our efforts to pass pro-jobs economic reforms?” questioned Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.

Thursday, January 19, marked the deadline for members of the Oklahoma State Senate to file legislation for the 2006 session. In all, 1,034 bills and 28 joint resolutions were filed. Last year, 1,017 bills and 33 joint resolutions had been filed by deadline. Of those, 615 bills and 27 joint resolutions are still alive and may be considered in the 2006 session.

Members of the public can read and download current legislation by going to the official State Senate website at www.oksenate.gov and following the link for legislation at the top of the homepage.

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan said today that the leadership of the Oklahoma Education Association is woefully out of touch and again denounced the organization’s lawsuit seeking an additional $1 billion in funding for public schools.

The Senate leader’s comments followed an opinion article by OEA President Roy Bishop in the Daily Oklahoman, in which the top teachers’ union official intimated that schools should not have to explain how state tax dollars are spent.