The State Senate gave unanimous approval Wednesday to a measure to establish the Oklahoma School for the Deaf regional service center on the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) campus in Chickasha. House Bill 1546 is authored by Chickasha Republicans Sen. Ron Justice and Rep. Susan Winchester.

The State Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday to override Gov. Brad Henry’s veto of Senate Bill 1878, a bipartisan pro-life bill, by a vote of 37-11. Thirty-two votes were required to override the veto in the Senate. The House of Representatives voted 81-15 to join the Senate in overriding the veto.

It is the first gubernatorial veto overridden by the State Legislature since the administration of former Gov. David Walters.

Sen. Kenneth Corn on Thursday said one of Oklahoma’s greatest impediments to economic growth is a lack of college graduates. Under his proposal to provide qualifying high school graduates with two years of tuition at Oklahoma colleges and Universities, Corn said the state could make significant progress in building a more educated workforce.

Corn on Thursday successfully amended House Bill 2446, which modifies certain eligibility requirements for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP), to include his proposal.

On Thursday, Senator Patrick Anderson, R-Enid, provided Senators with cost estimates he received from OSEEGIB (Oklahoma State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board) for an autism insurance mandate proposal and a proposal that has been referred to as the “Patients Bill of Rights.”

These estimates prepared by OSEEGIB, which manages the State’s health insurance plan which covers State employees and retirees, shows that the bills could have a “catastrophic” impact on the state budget.

Saying there is more than one way to achieve fairness for Oklahoma cancer patients, State Senator Andrew Rice, D-OKC, successfully amended a House insurance bill in the State Senate today with language from his bill known as "Steffanie's Law".

Rice, who co-authored the original legislation named for Steffanie Collings, a young woman from Noble who passed away last month, added key provisions of "Steffanie's Law" to HB 3115 when it came to a vote in the Senate. The amended bill passed the Senate by a margin of 26-21.

The co-president pro tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate praised Thursday’s passage by the House of Representatives of legislation to tweak the Quality Jobs Act to encourage the National Basketball Association to move a professional basketball team to Oklahoma.

The State Senate passed the bill Tuesday. The bill now goes to Gov. Brad Henry, who is expected to sign the legislation.

The state Senate on Wednesday honored the life and contributions of late state Senator Gideon Graham. Graham was first elected to the Senate in 1911 and again in 1918. He served as Chair of the Senate Game and Fish Committee and later in 1930 was appointed Educational Director of the Oklahoma Game and Fish Commission.

Graham was instrumental in drafting many of Oklahoma’s game laws, and has been recognized as the state’s leading wildlife conservationist. Graham passed away February 10, 1950.

A news release about the cost of requiring insurance to provide an autism benefit fails to tell “the rest of the story,” according to the sponsor of “Nick’s Law.”

Senator Jay Paul Gumm, a Democrat from Durant, wrote “Nick’s Law.” The bill would require health insurance policies to cover diagnosis and treatment of autism, a bio-neurological disorder striking one out of ever 150 children.

Oklahoma State Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee responded to the 28-2 vote by NBA owners Friday approving the relocation of the Seattle SuperSonics professional basketball franchise to Oklahoma City.

“Oklahomans already knew we were ready to become the permanent home for a big league sports franchise, and today’s decision by NBA owners shows that they agree. This is a proud and exciting day for the entire State of Oklahoma, and is evidence that when Oklahomans work together we can make great things happen,” Coffee said.

State Sen. Randy Brogdon, who authored the amendment to send a term limits proposal to a vote of the people, commented on criticism of the proposal by Attorney General Drew Edmondson.

“Contrary to claims made by the attorney general, it is not the intent nor is it the effect of the amendment to SB 1987 to retroactively apply term limits to current officeholders.

“Furthermore, General Edmondson’s stated practice is to avoid commenting on pending legislation. It is very disappointing that in this case he is deviating from his usual practice,” stated Brogdon, R-Owasso.