The life of one of Oklahoma's brave young sons was honored by the State Senate Wednesday. Senate Resolution 22, by Senator Jim Wilson, memorializes the life and the military contributions of U.S. Army Sergeant William J. "B.J." Beardsley who was killed in Iraq on Monday, February 26.

The Co-Chairs of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources both praised provisions of House Bill 1234, the General Appropriations bill.

HENRY MAY BE SETTING STAGE FOR GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

Senate Republican leaders questioned Gov. Brad Henry’s line-item veto of funding for an independent performance audit of the Department of Corrections – which the governor described as his “first” line-item veto of HB 1234, the bipartisan general appropriations bill overwhelmingly approved by the Legislature last week.

State Sen. James A. Williamson, R-Tulsa, said the Oklahoma State Medical Association (OSMA) is wrong to oppose SB 714 and HB 1317, Williamson’s bills that would prohibit state funds and facilities from being used to perform abortions.

Tuesday, OSMA issued a letter from Dr. Jack Beller, Chair of OSMA’s Council on State Legislation, encouraging legislators to oppose the measures.

“I’m highly disappointed the Governor has chosen to veto this portion of the budget that directly affects the public safety of our citizens.

“It’s become quite evident with the funding crisis the Department of Corrections faces year after year, we needed to take a different approach to the way we address this item in the budget.

The Co-Chairs of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education both praised provisions of House Bill 1234, the General Appropriations bill that invests record funding in education.

Senators Clark Jolley, a Republican from Edmond, and Susan Paddack, a Democrat from Ada, said the GA bill serves as an appropriate blueprint to ensure critical services for all Oklahomans remain intact. Both senators provided input for negotiations in developing the base-level education funding contained in HB 1234, and said the bill is a product of sincere, bipartisan cooperation.

The Co-Chairs of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and Transportation both endorsed provisions of House Bill 1234, the General Appropriations bill.

Sen. Kenneth Corn on Monday expressed concern with State Treasurer Scott Meacham’s opposition to an independent audit of the Department of Corrections’ finances.

The proposal was included in a budget agreement approved by lawmakers last week. The audit would cost $1 million and would be performed by an independent firm contracted by the Legislative Service Bureau. Corn said that despite Meacham’s opposition to the proposal, the independent audit and a thorough study of the Department’s finances are necessary to find solutions to the agency’s long-term funding problems.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has given approval to a measure to ensure the statute of limitations on “accessory” crimes is the same as in the substantive crime in a particular case. Sen. Charles Wyrick, D-Fairland, is Senate author of House Bill 1285. Wyrick explained the bill came as the result of the murder of a baby in his district.

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan today praised Senate passage of House Bill 1234, a General Appropriations bill comprising the Fiscal Year 2008 state budget. The measure passed by a unanimous 48-0 vote.

Morgan said the budget contained in HB 1234 meets the needs of Oklahoma by focusing on the priorities of education, health care and public safety – especially in light of revised revenue projections that left the Legislature with $250 million less to appropriate than originally estimated.