In response to recent announcements regarding a proposal to make English the official language of the state of Oklahoma, Sen. Jeff Rabon on Thursday stated he would do everything in his power to ensure such a measure would not win the approval of the Senate.

Rabon said he felt the state should be doing more to honor the fact that Oklahoma is home to numerous sovereign nations with unique languages and cultures that deserve the respect of the Legislature.

Sen. Harry Coates on Thursday addressed his decision to file legislation that would repeal portions of House Bill 1804, citing both economic and moral concerns with the sweeping immigration reform bill approved earlier this year by the Legislature.

Coates said the legislation is already having a negative impact on the Oklahoma economy, as employers in the agricultural and construction industries are beginning to see the first effects of a potential labor shortage. Coates filed Senate Bill 1143 on Wednesday which would repeal parts of the immigration bill.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm has filed legislation allowing Oklahomans to purchase license tags for their vehicles displaying the national motto of “In God We Trust.”

The legislation is modeled after a law passed in Indiana in 2006. During the first four months of availability, more than a half-million of “In God We Trust” license plates were sold to Hoosiers who wanted to display the nation’s motto.

Over the past few years, the State Legislature has passed right to work and tort reform measures designed to make Oklahoma more attractive to business, but now the state has a law on the books that negates those efforts. That’s according to Sen. Harry Coates, Co-Chair of the Senate Business and Labor Committee and the only Republican in the Legislature to vote against HB 1804. Coates announced he would file legislation to repeal portions of the bill approved during the 2007 session aimed at illegal immigrants.

With the holiday shopping season underway, Oklahoma State Senator Glenn Coffee and Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) president Patricia E. Vance today unveiled a new Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign to explain and encourage parents to use video game ratings.

Sen. Kenneth Corn has filed three measures intended to curtail the influence of special interests in Oklahoma's electoral process and restore integrity to the system.

Corn said the proposals are a response to a growing concern that average Oklahomans have been priced out of the political process and their influence has become secondary to that of special interest groups.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A proposal by Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant to end the state’s grocery tax made the list of “100 Ideas” made by Oklahomans to improve the state.

Over the course of the past year, more than 3,500 ideas were submitted through a website and thousands more were collected at “Idea Raisers” held by communities across Oklahoma. The proposal to end the grocery tax was the “Number 25” idea.

Common-sense measures to strengthen families and better utilize existing nutrition programs are among strategies to address hunger in Oklahoma identified by the Oklahoma Task Force on Hunger in its final report delivered today to the Governor and leaders from the Senate and the House.

The report includes recommendations for increased coordination among services organizations and ways to extend existing outreach to serve more people. The report also includes strategies to involve schools and improve students' access to sufficient and nutritious food.

With President Bush and the U.S. Congress working to pass a bipartisan economic stimulus package, State Sen. Don Barrington wants to ensure that the federal tax rebates included in the package are exempt from state income taxes.

“If the State of Oklahoma taxes these federal rebates, it will diminish the impact of the stimulus package on our state’s economy,” Barrington said. “It is imperative that the Legislature takes action this session to make sure Oklahomans don’t have to fork over part of their federal rebate to the state government.”

“It has become apparent in recent weeks the Speaker has come under scrutiny for certain personal matters.

“If Rep. Cargill believes issues in his personal life are interfering with his ability to serve the people of this state, I believe he has made the best decision to step down from his duties as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

“He has always treated me with respect and it has been a pleasure working with him on issues important to our state. I wish him well during this trying time, and will keep Lance and his family in my prayers.”