Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, said he is concerned that Gov. Brad Henry’s so-called “Smart on Crime” proposal is backdoor effort to reinstate early release programs for offenders.

State Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, commented on the Senate Democrats’ 2007 legislative agenda announced today.

“I am encouraged by the positive tone of the Senate Democrat leaders during today’s announcement. Senate Democrats appear ready to abandon the obstructionism we have seen from them in the past, and seem willing to work with Republicans to find common ground on issues that can move our state forward,” Coffee said.

Democrats of the Oklahoma State Senate unveiled an aggressive 2007 legislative agenda today. Senate Democratic leaders said the “Oklahoma Rising” agenda includes opportunities for all Oklahomans.

Statement by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan

“The history of Oklahoma’s energy industry is filled with innovation and imagination. For nearly a century, Oklahomans have led the world in new technologies in energy exploration and production. In a changing and volatile world is important for Oklahoma to invest in the development of new forms of energy, including bio-fuels. I applaud the Governor for coming forward with a bold initiative to keep Oklahoma among the world leaders in energy.”

Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, made the following statement regarding Gov. Brad Henry’s proposal to create a biofuels research center in Oklahoma.

Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, made the following statement regarding Gov. Brad Henry’s proposal to expand pre-K programs to include three-year-olds.

Republican leaders in the evenly divided State Senate said Gov. Brad Henry may need to increase taxes to pay for the new spending he is promising for the upcoming legislative session.

In December, Gov. Henry publicly cautioned state lawmakers about new spending in what could be a tight budget year. But in the past week, he has proposed about half-a-billion dollars in new spending – with even more new spending proposals likely to come in the days before the State of the State address scheduled for February 5.

Statement By Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan

“I am pleased to see Governor Henry continuing his commitment to invest in Oklahoma’s future by proposing an ambitious budget for our public schools, colleges and universities and world-class career tech system.

With $140 million left on the table after the 2006 session of the Oklahoma Legislature, one lawmaker wants to use half of that money to shore up the Teachers’ Retirement System.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm, a Democrat from Durant, has introduced legislation to take $70 million of the so-called “spillover” dollars and put it into the beleaguered system. That money, left on the table after last year’s budget was written, would give the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System (OTRS) a much needed shot in the arm.

Statement By Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan

“The Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship program is one of the most valuable assets we have as we seek to increase the number of college graduates in our state. The governor’s plan for dedicating a portion of the income tax to the program is certainly intriguing and I look forward to looking at it more closely, especially their long-term projections.