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.

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.

Sen. Jeff Rabon on Wednesday announced he would pursue an effort to provide an additional and permanent revenue stream for the State Transportation Fund.

The Co-Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee has proposed a plan to reallocate a portion of motor vehicle taxes and fees from the General Revenue Fund to the State Transportation Fund. Rabon’s proposal would not reduce the percentage of revenues currently dedicated to the General Revenue Fund.

Endowed chairs help bring some of the most brilliant minds in higher education to Oklahoma college campuses, but for years the private donations have far outpaced the state matching dollars needed to fund those positions. That could change, thanks to a measure by Sen. Kenneth Corn.

Senator James A. Williamson’s “Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act” passed the Senate today as an amendment to House Bill 2633.

Williamson’s amendment provides protection to students who voluntarily express their religious views at school.

The amendment reads, “Students may organize prayer groups, religious clubs, ‘see you at the pole’ gatherings, or other religious gatherings before, during, and after school to the same extent that students are permitted to organize other non-curricular student activities and groups.”

The State Senate’s author of a an omnibus pro-life bill that overwhelmingly passed the State Senate and House of Representatives urged Gov. Brad Henry to sign the bill before tonight’s midnight deadline for gubernatorial action on the bill.

“I strongly encourage Gov. Henry to join the Oklahoma Legislature in taking a stand for the rights of the unborn and for the sanctity of life by signing this bill before tonight’s deadline,” said Sen. Todd Lamb, R-Edmond, author of Senate Bill 1878.

Sen. Kenneth Corn on Tuesday successfully amended a measure to allow for the use of dyed motor fuel in pickups, trucks or truck-tractors, provided that the operator has obtained a permit from the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

Sen. Jeff Rabon said on Wednesday he plans to amend at least two measures, adding language providing penalties for knowingly and willfully making false claims about candidates or ballot measures in political advertising.

Rabon has submitted the amendment to House Bill 2196, an election ethics measure, and House Bill 1897, which provides penalties for abuse against pregnant women. Rabon said it was time for the state to take a stand and ensure elections are conducted in an ethical and honorable fashion.

Legislation to tweak the Quality Jobs Act to encourage the National Basketball Association to move a professional basketball team to Oklahoma passed the State Senate today. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for final consideration before going to Gov. Brad Henry.

Senate Bill 1819, by Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee and House Speaker Chris Benge, allows an NBA franchise to participate in the state’s Quality Jobs Program, which rebates a portion of employees’ income taxes to the state to qualified employers.

Sen. James A. Williamson and Rep. Pam Peterson have unveiled language to close a loophole in Oklahoma criminal statutes. The Tulsa Republicans crafted the measure after a Tulsa County judge was forced to reduce charges against an accused rapist from first-degree rape to second-degree rape.